East Bay

01:00 AM EST on Friday, November 18, 2005

REGIONAL

Evening book discussion: The evening book discussion at the Jamestown Library continues Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. with a reading and discussion of some of the works of poet Mary Oliver.

Oliver has written several volumes of poem, the first of which, No Voyage and Other Poems, appeared in 1963. Other books are New and Selected Poems (1992), A Poetry Handbook (1995), and Blue Pastures (1995), a collection of mature prose.

Copies of her poems to be discussed will be handed out at the meeting. The discussion is free to the public and lead by lecturer Richard Tyre. For more information, call the library at (401) 423-7280. Registration is not required.

School expands grade levels: The Barrington Christian Academy will host a student rally and information day for its new high school tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The BCA high school will enroll ninth graders in fall 2006. The information day is for all interested seventh and eighth graders and will be held at the school, at 9 Old County Rd., in Barrington.

There will be an information session for parents at 10:30 a.m. in the school's multipurpose room. Musical entertainment will be provided by the band Unspoken, and a rock-climbing wall will be available for all registered participants.

For more information or to register, contact the school at (401) 246-0113.

Flu clinics: The VNA of Care New England, the largest provider of community-based flu clinics in Rhode Island, continues this year's Community Flu Clinics tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon at Brooks Pharmacy at 236 County Rd., Barrington. The clinic is for anyone 18 and older.

A listing of all flu clinics sponsored by the VNA of Care New England can be found by visiting the Web site, cnehomehealth.org or contacting (401) 681-1102.

BARRINGTON

Festivals of Light: Barrington Public Library, 281 County Rd., will host Festivals of Light, a program for children ages 6 and older involving stories and crafts exploring various countries' celebrations of light including La Posada, Hanukkah, Christmas, Divali and Kwanzaa. The program will be held on three consecutive Tuesdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13 from 3:15 to 4:15. Registration is required and begins Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., in person or by phone, (401) 247-1920, ext. 4. Class is limited to 20 participants.

Garden Club news: As part of the Barrington Garden Club's civic-beautification projects, members will meet Nov. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the Barrington Methodist Church to decorate wreaths of fresh greens for placement at the Town Hall, gazebo, Government Center and the Booster Board. Several of the members will also create miniature "trees" of fresh boxwood, which will be festively decorated and delivered to a number of the town's shut-ins. The executive board will treat the attending members to its annual Greens luncheon, after which the town buildings will be decorated.

The club will also decorate the Rhode Island Veterans' Home for the holidays; members will meet at the home, on Metacom Avenue, Bristol, on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.

In other club news, Emily Reade, president, announced at the membership meeting this week that the Barrington Garden Club has been recognized by the New England Region of National Garden Clubs for outstanding achievement in publicity. At the Oct. 15 regional meeting, the Barrington Garden Club was awarded the Nancy H. Atwell trophy for demonstrating, through its publicity efforts, the National Garden Club's objectives; this award was specifically given with reference to publicity for the club's garden tour, Barrington in Bloom, last spring. BGC also won the Publicity Pressbook Award, first place, on the New England Regional level.

BRISTOL

Christmas party: The Benjamin Church Senior Center and the town of Bristol Parks and Recreation Department will co-host the annual Christmas party for Bristol elderly Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Mt. Hope High School, Chestnut Street.

Students and staff members will prepare a home-cooked meal for elderly. The highlight of the evening will be musical entertainment, Christmas caroling and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $1 each and available for Bristol residents only. Elderly residents may pick up tickets at the center office beginning Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Vision checks for elderly: The center will sponsor and adult vision service for the community's elderly Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. Saving Sight of Rhode Island will conduct the event, which will include screening for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and diabetes risk assessment. The service is free, and no appointment is needed.

LITTLE COMPTON

Newsletter submissions needed: All local organizations that would like to have their events/meetings for January and February listed in the Community Calendar section of the Little Compton Community Center's newsletter are asked to submit information by Nov. 27. Submissions can be printed or on a disc and dropped at the center, the Commons, or they can be e-mailed to wyattlyATlccenter.com. For more information, call (401) 635-2400.

MIDDLETOWN

Church news: United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Rd., will welcome Rabbi Marc Jagolinzer, its neighbor from Temple Shalom, to its Thanksgiving service Sunday. Rabbi Jagolinzer has become a friend to many in the church's congregation as both faith communities have gathered for study and worship. All are welcome to join the congregation in this service filled with fellowship and good will.

Also Sunday, the church will host vespers at 4 p.m. in the Manchester Room. This monthly gathering includes music and sharing in prayer.

The church's book-reading group, "Happy Bookers," will meet Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson. This month's reviewer will be the Rev. Kathy Henry. All are welcome.

NEWPORT

Bringing in the Funk 11: Off The Curb will host its annual "Bringing in the Funk 11" Hip-Hop Dance Showcase on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Rogers High School auditorium, Wickham Road. The event will feature the Off The Curb Performance Troupe, hip-hop dance performances by hundreds of Rhode Island youth as well presentations from guest artists. The cost is $10 for adults and $7 for students. For more information, call (401) 849-1118 or visit offthecurb.com. Proceeds will benefit the Off the Curb youth outreach programs.

Neighborhood meeting: The Off Broadway Neighborhood Association will hold its next bimonthly meeting Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at Mount Zion Church (older building of the two facing Tilley Avenue.), Tilley Avenue at Van Zandt.

All neighbors are welcome to participate as the group decides on how to make the neighborhood heard in the community. The organization represents residents within the parameters of Broadway to Van Zandt and Malbone to Gould/Tilley.

For more information, contact Ellen Nichols at (401) 841-9134 or e-mail at theelATcox.net.

Holiday auction and cocktail party: The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation will hold its annual holiday auction and cocktail party Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Goat Island. Those attending can do their holiday gift shopping at the silent auction, dance to the lively holiday sounds of the Parallel String Band, and support the work of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation. The event will include holiday cookies, plentiful hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Advance tickets are $25 (purchase by Nov. 30 for express bidding/checkout service), $35 at the door. For more information, call (401) 847-4242 or visit RoseIslandLighthouse.org.

Bowen's Wharf Christmas Celebration: The 35th annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas tree lighting will be held Dec. 3 beginning with recorded Christmas music at 2 p.m. At 4:30, Frosty the Snowman will make his way to the Wharf to greet children of all ages. At 5, live Christmas carol sing-alongs will be led by Lisa Firda (Beyond Blonde) and Chuck Ciany (Doin' Time). At approximately 5:30, there will be a guest appearance by Scrooge, from Trinity Rep, to join Frosty as the carols continue. Then, at 6, Scrooge will help the mayor light the tree, signaling that Christmas at Bowen's Wharf has begun. Shortly after the tree is lighted, Santa and Mrs. Claus will sail into Bowen's Basin, courtesy of Old Port Marine Services, to an awaiting horse-drawn carriage. Festivities continue until each child has shared his or her holiday wishes with Santa.

The event, which is free to all, will be held rain, shine or snow.

Family Free Day: The Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave., will offer a Family Free Day on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include free workshops and tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which will enable families and children the chance to try different art and craft activities for free.

The museum's buildings will be open for browsing or with guided tours. On exhibit will be "Picturing the Page: A Legacy of Artist-Illustrators," "Gabriel Warren: Polar Illuminations" and "Lost House:: Elizabeth Keithline." The first exhibition includes contemporary and historic illustrators of the region, the second is an exhibition of wall sculpture inspired by glaciers, and the third is an installation featuring a full-scale woven-wire house.

Benefit birthday celebration: A cocktail reception and live auction to benefit the Gilbert Stuart Museum and the Rhode Island Youth Entrepreneurship Program will be held Dec. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Griswold House, 76 Bellevue Ave. Stuart, who painted the portrait of George Washington that appears on the dollar bill, was born to an entrepreneurial family in Saunderstown on Dec. 3, 1755. He later studied in England and painted more than 1,000 portraits of the famous and near-famous during a career that spanned more than 50 years.

This fundraising event will celebrate the 250th birthday of this world-famous portrait artist and entrepreneur.

Proceeds will support both the Gilbert Stuart Museum and the Rhode Island Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

For more information about tickets and sponsorships for Stuart's 250th birthday celebration, call Ann Marie Marshall at (401) 383-7940.

Open house: The International Yacht Restoration School, 449 Thames St., will showcase its campus and student restoration projects during a Saturday open house on Dec. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. The school runs a full-time program in yacht restoration and part-time courses for boatyard workers and restoration enthusiasts. The open house is a valuable opportunity for prospective students and fans of classic yachts to learn about course offerings and see the fleet being restored by IYRS students. Prospective applicants who would like more specifics on the curriculum, career opportunities, and financial aid should contact Jay Picotte, program associate, at (401) 848-5777, ext. 203, or e-mail him at jpicotteATiyrs.org.

Assistance program: The Newport Police Department has a victims/witness assistance program in place that informs victims/witnesses of their rights and provides them with assistance in making contact with other support agencies. For a copy of the department's informational guide, call Lt. Mike Brennan, at (401) 845-5715.

PORTSMOUTH

Annual book sale: The Portsmouth Free Public Library will hold its annual Fall Book Sale tomorrow from 10 to noon. A preview sale for members of the Library Association will be held before the opening of the sale, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Craft and artisan's show: Christmas at the Glen, a craft and artisan's show and sale, will be held Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Glen Manor House, Coelho Drive, off Glen Road. Twenty-five artists including potter Lark Roderigues will present original work in jewelry, clothing, home accessories and gourmet food. Guests can enjoy live music and enjoy refreshments from the Cafe. There will be no admission fee and plenty of free parking. The house is handicapped accessible.

Talk on Sherlock Holmes: The Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd., will host a talk about the famous detective Sherlock Holmes by Albert Silverstein, professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Silverstein taught psychology at URI for 41 years and published over 40 articles on psychological issues before retiring in 2004. His abiding interest in Sherlock Holmes goes back to his boyhood days, but his scholarly work in the analysis of the stories, which centers on Holmes and science, began in 1965 with his first publication in the Baker Street Journal.

He has been a member of the Baker Street Irregulars since 1967 along with five other Holmes societies, and is one of the founders of The Cornish Horrors, the Rhode Island Sherlock Holmes Society.

Space is limited so those planning to attend are asked to stop by or call the library at (401) 683-9457 to register. Additional parking is available at BankNewport.

TIVERTON

Library adds to children's department: A variety of LeapFrog SchoolHouse products, financed by a $2,500 Champlin Foundation grant, is now available for circulation and in-house use at the Essex Library, 238 Highland Rd. These kits offer a multisensory approach toward learning. These portable interactive devices are fun to use, making them both motivational and instructional. They are also great for increasing literacy among fluent or struggling readers, preschool through grade five, as well as being a great tool for all English-language learners.

LeapPad kits are available for prekindergarten, kindergarten, grade one and grade two. Quantum Pads are available for grades three, four and five. Loaner kits, contained in either a backpack or carry case, include the LeapPad or Quantum Pad, 3 interactive spiral-bound books with matching minicassettes, headphones and a power adaptor. These kits have a circulation period of three weeks. There is also a selection of individual LeapFrog books available for circulation as well as the All Around Me Storybook series, the Character Development series and the Phonemic Awareness series. These also circulate for a three-week loan period, for use with library LeapFrog loaner kits or with your personally owned LeapPads or Quantum Pads.

For more information, visit the children's department or call Janet Taylor-Kosinski at (401) 625-6796.

WARREN

Thanksgiving Mass: The Catholic parishes of Warren will host a Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary of the Bay, 645 Main St. All are welcome.