East Bay

01:00 AM EST on Monday, December 5, 2005

REGIONAL

Grange news: 20 The next regular meeting of Newport County Pomona Grange no. 4 will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Kickimuit Grange, Vernon Street, Warren. Any grange member in Newport County is eligible to enter their agriculture centerpiece at this meeting. These centerpieces should be there before supper at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a Christmas penny sale and an exchange of Christmas cards. Providence County Pomona Grange members will be the special guests.

Holiday collection: The Bayside Family YMCA has launched its annual "Caring for the Community" drive this week for families in need in the East Bay area. A large box has been placed in the lobby of the Bayside YMCA, 70 West St., Barrington. Residents of the East Bay area are invited to fill the box with gifts. The gifts should be new and should not be gift wrapped.

Items most in need are toys for young children, food vouchers from the markets for adults and warm clothing for all family members. Last year the teenagers really appreciated gift certificates to area stores.

These gifts will be brought to the following area agencies for distribution: CASSP (Child, Adolescent Service System Program) of East Bay Mental Health, Big Brothers, the Women's Resource Center and Self-Help.

For some families these may be the only gifts they will have to open and therefore they are greatly appreciated. The deadline to bring gifts to the YMCA is Dec. 21. For information, call (401) 245-2444.

Children's holiday card making workshop: Children's and Young Adult Librarian Rowena Burke will lead a holiday card making workshop for children ages 5 and over Thursday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Materials, which will be supplied, will include construction paper, glue, glitter and crayons. Participants are encouraged to come with ideas and family photographs they would like to become part of a holiday greeting card.

This free event will take place in the Jamestown Philomenian Library meeting hall, 26 North Rd. Registration is not necessary. For more information, call the library at (401) 423-7280.

Annual choral concert: This year marks the 25th season, the "Silver Anniversary of Song," for the Greater Tiverton Community Chorus. In celebration of this event, the chorus will present a weekend-long celebration featuring two concerts, one in Westport, Mass. and the other in Tiverton.

The first performance will be held Saturday 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Westport United Methodist Church, Westport Point, Mass. This concert will feature favorites from Christmas concerts of the past 25 years, plus some pieces chosen especially for this event. The varied musical styles will cover several centuries and be accompanied by talented soloists and a double-quartet. Before the night is over, the audience will be invited to join in a carol sing-along and in the final offering, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

The second concert will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at St. Theresa Church, Stafford Road (Rte. 81), Tiverton. The chorus will be joined by a harpist for Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," and by a string orchestra, with guest vocalists, for J.S. Bach's "Cantata No. 64." Several shorter pieces will round out the afternoon. The carol sing-along and Handel's "Hallelujah" will be repeated. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Tickets purchased for Saturday's concert will also be honored at Sunday's, and vice versa. Ample parking and a ramped entrance are available at both locations. Tickets are available from chorus members or at the door for $10 each. Those 16 and younger will be admitted free.

Daughters to meet: The Bristol Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will honor state regent Elizabeth Alfonso and vice-president general C. Elizabeth Candas with a Victorian Christmas Tea Dec. 15 at the Talbot House, ca. 1838, 647 Hope St., Bristol, home of Alfred Brazil. Reservations for the noon tea will be taken by co-chairs Ginger Lansinger, (401) 245-7239 and Susan E.H. Neveux, (401) 253-6518, no later than Dec. 10.

The Bristol Chapter DAR is a service and charitable organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. Members are from Barrington, East Providence, Warren and Bristol. For more information, contact Laura Neelis at (401) 247-7712.

BARRINGTON

Grants available: The Barrington District Nursing Association Fund at The Rhode Island Foundation is seeking proposals for programs that support the physical and mental health/well-being of Barrington residents.

Any Rhode Island nonprofit organization providing health care, health education or basic needs to Barrington residents is eligible to apply, with preference given to organizations that match Foundation dollars with funds or in-kind services. Four to six grants of $500 to $5,000 will be awarded. The application deadline is Jan. 6.

Grants made in 2005 are supporting Barrington High School for a leadership training program for students; Barrington Tap-In to defray insurance costs; Bayside Family YMCA for fitness services to Barrington Senior Center members; East Bay Community Action Program for health services for Barrington residents; East Bay Mental Health Center for psychiatric services for children; Friends of Barrington Senior Center toward the cost of an outreach worker; Katie Brown Educational Program for a domestic and teen dating violence prevention program in Barrington schools; Meals on Wheels to defray meal costs for Barrington residents; and VNA of Rhode Island for patient care to Barrington residents.

Incorporated in 1923, the Barrington District Nursing Association ceased operation in 1968 with the formation of the East Shore District Nursing Association from a number of smaller agencies, including the Barrington-based one. In 1989, the board of the Barrington District Nursing Association voted to turn its assets over to The Rhode Island Foundation and create the fund that bears the organization's name and continues at least part of its mission.

For additional information and an application, visit the Receive/Other Funding Opportunities page of the Foundation web site, www.rifoundation.org, or contact Libby Monahan at The Rhode Island Foundation at (401) 274-4564 or libbymXXXATXXXrifoundation.org.

BRISTOL

Students win regional competition: Roger Williams University students took top honors in two out of three categories at this year's Associated Schools of Construction Region 1 Construction Management Student Competition.

The teams defeated a number of Northeastern schools, including the University of Maine, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology and Temple University. Next March, the Roger Williams students will compete nationally in the Commercial Building and Design Build categories.

Christmas at Blithewold: Nightly musical performances continue at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Ferry Road. The performances are part of Christmas at Blithewold, which continues until Dec. 30.

Performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and are subject to change. In addition to the performances listed, John Evans will be playing the harp Every Thursday at 2 p.m.:

Wednesday, Joan Roth directs singers from the Roger Williams University Chorus.

Thursday, The URI Honors String Quartet.

Friday, Six in the City, women's barbershop group, sings a medley of holiday music and standards.

Saturday, Make We Music, vocal group and recorder, perform Medieval and Renaissance music.

Sunday, The Voices of Xmas -- Victorian Street Carolers

Wednesday, Dec. 14, The Ocean State Brass Quintet presents a program of holiday favorites.

Thursday, Dec. 15, Vicki Boyle directs The Mt. Hope High School Guitar Ensemble, presenting classical and holiday music.

Friday, Dec. 16, The Strays, a women's choral group, sings holiday favorites.

Saturday, Dec. 17, Susan Thomas and Mychal Gendron, flute and guitar duo, play an arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite and other traditional carols.

Sunday, Dec. 18, Sheila Schattle and The Portsmouth UM Choir lead Blithewold's Annual Carol Sing-Along.

Monday, Dec. 21, Jane Revkin and Dawn Chung, piano and flute duo

Thursday, Dec. 22, Jane and Donald Rankin perform piano solos, romantic duets and Christmas melodies.

Friday, Dec. 23, Mary Jane Tyszkowski, classical pianist.

Wednesday, Dec. 28, Rebecca Carreiro, soprano, accompanied by guitar

Artist's workshop: Hope Gallery, 435 Hope St., will hold a workshop featuring Sarah Fielding-Gunn, award winning pastel artist, Monday, Dec. 12, and Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. The workshop, entitled "Pastels for the Complete Beginner, Exploring the Medium of Pastel, Rules that are meant to be broken ..." will have participants working from a photograph or still life and they identify and test the limits of the medium (there are none). For registration and information, call (401) 293-0407. Information can also be obtained by calling (401) 396-9117 or visiting www.hopegallery.net.

Boxwood tree workshop: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Ferry Road, will hold a Boxwood Tree Workshop Friday or Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshop will be led by Blithewold's horticulturist and flower designer Gail Read, who will demonstrate the assembly of the tree, and then provide guidance in helping participants create their own masterpiece. A limited amount of ribbon will also be provided. A small tabletop "tree" made from fresh-cut boxwood stems can last for over a month, and looks especially festive with ribbons and strings of pearls.

Advance registration is required, and the fee is $30 for Blithewold members and $37 for others. Call (401) 253-2707, ext. 16, or register online at www.blithewold.org.

MIDDLETOWN

Survival program: The Norman Bird Sanctuary will offer a Winter Wildlife Survival program Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Parents and children will learn of the ways animals in the region survive winter, including migration, hibernation and staying active. Through games and activities, participants will become ecologists and explore the challenges that animals face during the cold winter months. Those planning to participate should dress for the weather, as the group will spend some time outdoors. The program is appropriate for children age 5 and older. Registration is required, and the fee is $8 for members families, $12 for other families. Call (401) 846-2577, ext. 32, for more information and to register.

Christmas in Song: The Newport Navy Choristers will hold their annual Christmas in Song concert Friday, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Lucy Church, 909 West Main Rd. The concert, under the direction of JoAnn Loewenthal, will feature holiday songs by both the Navy Choristers and the Nautical Notes.

This year's concert is a benefit for the Edward King House of Newport, which provides a variety of enrichment programs to adults age 55 and older.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and children and $18 for families. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the King Center or at the door the night of the concert. For information, call (401) 846-7426.

NEWPORT

Shalom, Salaam, Peace: Wednesdays, Dec. 7 and 14, at 7:15 p.m., Trinity Church and Temple Shalom in Middletown will co-sponsor an extraordinary two-part series focusing on the religious dimensions of peace in the Holy Land and the Middle East. Entitled "Shalom, Salaam, and Peace," the series will explore the central issues involved from Jewish, Christian and Muslim points of view. The first session will be held at Trinity Church's Honyman Hall. The second part, Dec. 14, will be held at Temple Shalom, at 220 Valley Rd., in Middletown.

Professor Yehezkel Landau will kick off the series Dec. 7. Professor Landau is a faculty associate at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, where he is a specialist in interfaith relations for the Seminary's Center for Faith in Practice. He will help participants to examine the religious dimensions of peace and see how the three faiths can provide new directions and hope for this deeply significant and sorely troubled part of the world.

The Dec. 14 program at Temple Shalom will be a discussion on the Holy Land and peace from the perspective of the three faith traditions. Rabbi Mark Jagolinzer of Temple Shalom, Father John Lawrence of Trinity Church and a representative of the Rhode Island Muslim community will each share their perspectives on the meaning of the Holy Land and the resources for peace that come from their traditions.

For further information, call The Rev. Canon John E. Lawrence, (401) 846-0660.

Benefit exhibit and auction: Cadeaux du Monde's Galerie Escalier, 26 Mary St., will open a benefit silent art auction and exhibit, "Thayer's Family & Friends," Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., during Newport Gallery Night. The benefit is for The Tomorrow Fund, the only local nonprofit organization that provides daily emotional and financial support to children with cancer and their families.

The silent art auction portion of the benefit features works by Thayer and his artist family members and friends. The fixed price art exhibit continues for the duration of the show, through Jan. 10.

In September, accompanied by his parents and brother, 2-year-old Thayer Schlegel, of Newport, who has been in treatment for cancer for the past year, traveled to the State House in Providence to receive an official citation from Governor Carcieri and an Ambassador Medal from The Tomorrow Fund. He was one of more than 50 children honored as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Ambassadors," who are currently in treatment or who have recently completed cancer treatment at The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

"Thayer's Family & Friends" will feature mainly photography, acrylics and mixed media works by his artist dad, Rich Schlegel. Also included will be a wide range of media from oil, watercolor, pen and ink, Raku, ceramics, sculpture, cut paper, Gyotaku, encaustic found objects and jewelry donated by many local artists who are family and friends of the Schlegels.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call (401) 848-0550.

Exhibit to open: Blink Gallery, 89 Thames St., will open an exhibit, "Tri-Local," Friday, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Artists exhibiting will be Jeff Soderbergh, Diana Hall and Alexander Nesbitt.

The exhibit's opening will coincide with the gallery's annual holiday sale. Featured will be Nesbitt's limited edition prints of Newport images and adventure travel photography from around the world, handmade wooden bowls, home accents and furnishings and unique, one-of-a-kind, carbon fiber jewelry.

This once-a-year studio sale offers the opportunity to purchase artwork at holiday discounts of 10 to 40 percent.

Advent recital series: 20 Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, will continue its lunchtime Advent recital series Thursday at 12:15 p.m. with organist Heinrich Christensen.

Christensen is a native of Denmark, and studied at the Royal Conservatory in Arhus, in Paris, and at the Boston Conservatory. He has given recitals in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, South Africa and the United States.

The recital is free and open to all, however a free-will offering will be accepted at the door.

PORTSMOUTH

SNAP Productions (Sometimes, Not Always, Perfect Productions) will present The Seagull by Anton Chekhov Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Portsmouth High School, Education Lane. Tickets, at the door, are $8 for adults, $5 for students. The production will be directed by Gary Vaspol.

The Seagull is a comedy, although what was funny in Russia in the 1890s, when Chekhov wrote the play, may not always seem so funny today. Vaspol is using the Tom Stoppard translation, which, he says, "trims off much of the fat and cuts to the chase -- makes it a play a modern audience can relate to." Chekhov himself claimed the play contained "five tons of love." The play is about rejecting love that is given freely and looking for love that is withheld. The principal characters are caught in a destructive relationship that is both amusing and sad at the same time.

For a high school production, Vaspol likes to include as many of the students as he can. He has therefore extended the cast of young actors to include a chorus made up of estate workers and farm hands. They will be working on stage as the audience comes in.

Open House: The Pennfield School, Little Slocum Farm, 110 Sandy Point Ave., will hold an admissions open house Friday from 8:15 a.m. to noon.

Interested families are welcome to come for the morning assembly at 8:15 a.m., hear a presentation by Rob Kelley, Head of School, tour the facilities with a current parent and observe classes. Pennfield School has a tradition of excellence with high academic standards.

The Pennfield School is a co-educational, independent, day school which offers classes to students beginning with nursery school classes and continuing through the eighth grade. The program is a rigorous blend of contemporary and traditional approaches to education with an emphasis on building a strong foundation in basic skills. Foreign languages (beginning in kindergarten), the arts, computer, lab science, and a full program of physical education and athletics are offered. Applications for the 2006-2007 school year are now being accepted.

Call Polly Meadows, director of Admissions, (401) 849-4646, ext. 148, for more information.

TIVERTON

Friends of Tiverton Libraries is partnering with an Internet shopping mall to help raise funds to support library programs like Mother Goose Asks Why, summer reading, and museum passes for the public to borrow.

The commerce venture, called Shop for the Library (shopforthelibrary.net), is a program of the Friends of the Library USA, and features more than 700 online merchants, including big names like Target, Macy's, Gap and Circuit City. Every purchase initiated through the Shop for the Library website generates a commission for the Tiverton Libraries.

It's not costing the Friends anything to participate in the Shop for the Library program, and all proceeds will go to support services to the public.

Shop for the Library works with online merchants who agree to give the library a percentage -- up to 25 percent -- of all sales referred from the Shop for the Library Web site. Shoppers will pay the same price whether they go through Shop for the Library or directly to the merchant's Web site, so the Friends organization hopes that library supporters will use the Shop for the Library portal.

Library supporters can find Shop for the Library ATshopforthelibrary.net or via the library's Web site, tivertonlibrary.org.

WARREN

Exhibit to open: The Nat Porter Restaurant, Water Street, will open an exhibit of works by Jean-Paul Jaquet, Thursday with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. This is the restaurant's fourth installation of its Artists Series. The opening will include live jazz, played by the Timothy Reese Trio, and passed hors d'oeuvres.

Jean-Paul Jacquet is an incessant sketcher, with the ability to capture the essence of a gesture in a single line. His sketchbooks are journals of ironic, poignant, quirky or simply mundane incidents, which read as chronicles of the human experience. This exhibit will showcase some of his larger works on paper, which are extensions of his sketchbooks, as well as sculptural works.