East Bay

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, November 30, 2005

REGIONAL

Daytime book discussion: Jamestown Library's Daytime Book Discussion continues Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. with Object Lessons, by Anna Quindlen.

Quindlen's first novel, this is an insightful family chronicle, an informed commentary on the 1960s, and the coming-of-age depiction of a mother and daughter.

The group has chosen other titles to be discussed on the following dates: Saturday, by Ian MacEwan, Jan. 10; The Member of the Wedding, by Carson McCullers, Feb. 14; The Bookseller of Kabul, by Asne Seierstad, March 14; Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson, April 11; and On Beauty, by Zadie Smith, May 9.

For more information, call the library at (401) 423-7280. Registration is not required. The meetings are free to all.

Annual Bay View Christmas concert: St. Mary Academy Bay View will hold its annual Christmas concert, "Christmas in Many Lands," Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium, Mercy Hall, 3070 Pawtucket Ave., Riverside. The production includes musical, dramatic and dance performances by the Bay View players, chorus, dancers and orchestra members. Tickets are $10 per person in advance. Proceeds will benefit the school's performing arts programs. For tickets call (401) 621-6123 or arttixri.com. For more information, regarding the concert call (401) 434-0113, ext 100, or visit smabv.org.

Holiday gifts for teens: The Department of Children, Youth and Families, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association , the Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers for Children, Youth and Families and Adoption Rhode Island, is launching its 10th annual Holiday Gifts for Teens Campaign.

DCYF serves approximately 3,000 teens in Rhode Island who reside in their own homes, foster homes, group homes and specialized residential treatment programs. The Holiday Gifts for Teens Campaign ensures that every teen in state care receives a gift during the holiday season.

Thanks to the generosity of the community last year, teens in care in Rhode Island each received a $25 gift certificate to a local shopping mall. The goal this year is to increase that denomination. Our goal will become a reality with the support and charity of local businesses, churches, private organizations, and individuals.

Contributions to the Holiday Gifts for Teens Campaign are payable to the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association and may be mailed to the Holiday Gifts for Teens Campaign, 55 South Brow St., East Providence, 02914.

DCYF also accepts gifts for teens at the following regional offices:

Providence -- 101 Friendship St. Contact Janice Bijessee at (401) 528-3928 or Jane Ahles at (401) 528-3985.

Bristol -- 530 Wood St. Contact Susan Nelson at (401) 254-7070.

North Kingstown -- 650 Ten Rod Rd. Contact Heidi Reardon at (401) 294-5318.

Pawtucket -- 249 Roosevelt St. Contact Karalyn Smith at (401) 721-2530 or Valerie Angelone, (401) 721-2550.

Further information may be obtained by calling the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association at (401) 438-3900.

BARRINGTON

Foster care and adoption information program: The state Department of Children, Youth and Families and Adoption Rhode Island will host a Foster Care and Adoption Informational Meeting Dec. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Barrington Public Library, 281 County Rd.

Agency staff and foster and adoptive parents will be available to explain the programs and answer questions. The meeting is open to anyone interested in exploring becoming a foster or adoptive parent for children in DCYF care. For more information, call Robin Perez, DCYF foster parent recruiter, (401) 528-3700, or Bernie Hicks at Adoption Rhode Island, (401) 724-1910.

BRISTOL

Holiday craft fair: The VFW Post 237 Home, 850 Hope St., will host a holiday craft fair Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call (401) 253-9866.

Annual Christmas bazaar: The First Congregational Church, High Street, will hold its 75th annual Christmas bazaar Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with lobster salad, chicken salad, chili, hot dogs, cornbread and dessert. There will be a silent auction, jewelry, needlework, attic treasures and more. A highlight will be a drawing for a quilt. All are welcome.

Dance concert: The Roger Williams University Dance Theatre annual fall concert series featuring choreography by guest artists Ellis Woods, Neta Pulvermacher and Sharon Jenkins will open tomorrow and continue through Sunday.

The performances will be staged in the university's Performing Arts Center on the Bristol campus at 1 Old Ferry Rd. and will begin at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Friday and Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets for the performances are $10 and $5 for students and senior citizens. For more information or tickets, call (401) 254-3626.

Christmas Party: Holy Rosary Sodality of St. Elizabeth Church will hold its annual Christmas party Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jackie's Galaxie restaurant, Metacom Avenue. For tickets and information, call Pat Silvia, (401) 253-9157.

Graduate program information session: Roger Williams University's School of Education will offer an information session for its graduate programs Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. The session will cover the school's graduate degree programs in elementary and literacy education and will be held in the university's Admissions/Visitors Center, 1 Old Ferry Rd.

For more information or to RSVP, call (888) 674-8479 or visit twu.edu/Admission/For+Graduate+students..

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 seniors 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 seniors. 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. Seniors may pick up tickets, which are limited, at the center office.

LITTLE COMPTON

Meet the playwright: Author and composer Frank Trimble will lead a lively discussion about his work Dec. 10 and 11 at 11 a.m. at the Brownell Library, the Commons. Trimble's original musical, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, is set to make its New England debut with the Little Compton Community Theatre at the Little Compton Community Center Dec. 8. "Meet the Playwright" is presented by The Brownell Library and the Little Compton Community Center and is free to all. The Friends of the Brownell Library will provide light refreshments.

Collection: The Little Compton Community Center and the Tiverton Library are collecting Christmas items for the Macauley House soup kitchen. New items for infants include clothes, disposable diapers and Enfamil formula. New items for adults include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps, deodorant, shampoo and other items for personal health care. Also needed are unwrapped toys for children. Bring items to the collection box at the Community Center or the Essex Library in Tiverton.

MIDDLETOWN

Puppet performance: "The Nativity of Christ," a musical pageant of life-sized puppetry for all ages, which tells the story of Jesus' birth, will be presented by the United Congregational Church of Middletown, 524 Valley Rd., tomorrow and Friday at 7 p.m. Admission to this event, which is part of Christmas in Newport, is free, but all the donations collected at the event will be given to a needy family in the community.

Megan Weymouth, coordinator of Children's Ministries at the church, is the director and producer of the show. She conceived, designed and constructed the puppets. The music for the production is provided by the Chancel Choir of the church under the direction of Julie Andrews, interim director of choirs, with piano accompaniment by Ann Dolbashian, commissioned minister of music. Soloists include Merri Lade, Sarah Young, Karen O'Hara, Steve Fagan, Neil Bangs, Al Edward, Scott Viloudaki, Bob Cook, and Julie Andrews. Karen Massaro will serve as the narrator. Ellen Davis and Matthew James will be in charge of lights. No one will be allowed to enter the sanctuary once the show begins.

After the half-hour presentation the audience will be invited to get a closer look at the puppets and meet the puppeteers in the Fellowship Hall where light refreshments will be served.

NEWPORT

Advent Quiet Day: St. John the Evangelist, 61 Poplar St., will host an Advent Quiet Day Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

After the 9 a.m. Mass, rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a light breakfast in the Guild Hall, attendees will meet in the church for a series of meditations interspersed with quiet time. The purpose of a "Quiet Day" is to be still and receptive before the presence of God, allowing Him to speak. The theme will be: "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus." The Quiet Day will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 12:15 p.m. For more information, call (401) 848-2561.

Christmas run: The 22nd annual Christmas run for Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island will be held Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. starting from Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Rd. The annual run is part of Christmas in Newport.

Money raised from the 10K road race and 3.5-mile walk will benefit Home & Hospice Car of Rhode Island and its programs. Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island provides medical, emotional and spiritual care to individuals with life-threatening illnesses, and support to their families. It is the largest and most comprehensive hospice in the state and the only hospice with a freestanding inpatient unit, the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center.

Registration is $16 when completed online, $18 by mail before Dec. 6 and $20 the day of the race. To register online, log onto needtorace.com. To pay by mail, send to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, Development Office, 169 George St., Pawtucket 02860. Registration on the day of the event starts at 8:15 a.m. at Rogers High School. Pledges and sponsorships are encouraged.

For more information, call Melanie Cahill, (401) 741-9708.

Holiday centerpiece contest: The Newport County Convention & Visitors Bureau invites businesses, organizations and children to participate in its first holiday centerpiece contest. All contest entries will be showcased at Newport Visitors Information Center from Dec. 7 to 23. Visitors and members of the community passing through the center will vote for the "Most Creative Interpretation of the Holidays in Newport." Prizes will be awarded for this honor in two categories -- businesses and organizations category and children's category.

To kick off the contest, the Newport Visitors Information Center will host a holiday party Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. for all participants and the local community. The holiday party will feature a public display of these one-of-a-kind holiday centerpieces.

Participants must be registered by 5 p.m. Monday and completed centerpieces must be delivered to the Newport Visitors Center, 23 America's Cup Ave., no later than 3 p.m. Dec. 6.

Centerpieces must be no larger than 3 feet tall and 3 feet across. They must be in good taste, and, most importantly, centerpieces must embody the spirit of the holidays in Newport County.

In lieu of an entry fee, all contestants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item with their centerpiece to be donated to the Salvation Army of Newport and the Feed A Friend food program at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Any centerpieces that are not reclaimed at the conclusion of the contest will be donated to the Salvation Army of Newport.

To register or for more information, contact Annie Colella at AColellaATGoNewport.com or (401) 845-9138.

Holiday luncheon: Newport Chapter 869 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will hold its annual holiday luncheon Dec. 6 at noon at the Mainstay Inn, Adm. Kalbfus Road.

There will be short business meeting followed by the luncheon, a holiday gift exchange and installation of newly elected officers. Earl Blamiris, president of the NARFE Rhode Island Federation of Chapters, will induct the chapter's new officers.

Chapter members planning to attend the luncheon must sign up by calling (401) 846-0241. The deadline to register is tomorrow. For general information about NARFE Chapter 869, call (401) 846-0553 or (401) 847-7251.

Holiday auction: The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation will hold its annual holiday auction and cocktail party Friday 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 cash bar.

A partial list auction items, in all price ranges from $10 to $1,500, can be found at roseislandlighthouse.org. Included are original works of art by Richard Grosvenor, Joseph Matose, Tony Gill, Susan Anderson and Onne van der Wal; plus designer jewelry, shoes and clothing, stuffed animals, a remote control train, restaurant gift certificates, spa treatments and even an antique one-horse open sleigh. Get-aways include a three-day windjammer cruise aboard Mystic Whaler, fishing and cruising charters, B&B stays, and an overnight for four at the Rose Island Lighthouse on New Year's Eve, a great place to watch the fireworks.

Advance tickets are $25 (by today), $35 at the door. For more information, call (401) 847-4242 or visit RoseIslandLighthouse.org.

Movie Magic: New to the Christmas In Newport calendar this year is Movie Magic, a premiere showing at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Jane Pickens Theatre on Touro Street.

This will be the first North America screening of the documentary Karen Blixen, Out of This World, featuring Meryl Streep and directed by Marcus Mandal and Anna Von Lowzow. Because of the historical nature of the film, a special student discount is being offered.

The motion picture tells the real story behind the Academy Award-winning film Out of Africa through never before seen photos and documents from the private archives of Karen Blixen's family as well as the memories of people close to her during her incredible life. Additional footage and historical reenactments were shot on location in Denmark and Kenya.

The film is a memorable look at an unforgettable human being, writer Isak Dinesen (a.k.a. Karen Blixen), who's work touched the hearts and minds of people throughout the world. This exceptional motion picture is destined for international acclaim just as Karen Blixen's Out of Africa was. One of the directors, Marcus Mandal of Denmark, will be present at the Saturday screening.

This special First Look screening serves as a benefit for Christmas In Newport and is sponsored by the Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Flickers Arts Collaborative.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for students at the box office. For more information, call (401) 849-6454 or visit christmasinnewport.org.

PORTSMOUTH

Holiday open house: The Glen Manor House will host a holiday open house Dec. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. The French chateau on the Sakonnet River with grounds designed by Fredrick Olmstead, welcomes everyone to catered treats, decorations and holiday, music.

Steppin-Out Holiday Performance Troupe, directed by Lisa Mailloux at 2:10 p.m., leads the program of Portsmouth High School Brass and Flute Ensemble directed by Ted Rausch at 2:30 p.m. Santa Claus arrives at 2:45 at the front door. Meryl Moore directs the Portsmouth High School Chorus at 3:15 and community Sing Song of the Season at 3:30.

The Glen Manor House is owned by the town of Portsmouth. For more information, call (401) 683-4177.

TIVERTON

Thrift shop offerings: This month, Trinity Trader Thrift Shop, 1956 Main Rd., will offer a great selection of Christmas items at reasonable prices (some free). The shop is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds are for the benefit of Holy Trinity Church.