Regional

Exhibit on display: The University Art Gallery at UMass Dartmouth is exhibiting “Henrik Drescher: Ornamental Breakdown,” through Oct. 24 at the University Art Gallery in the Star Store Campus, 715 Purchase St., New Bedford, Mass.

Drescher’s illustrations have appeared regularly in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Esquire and Rolling Stone. He began to write and illustrate children’s books in 1981, and has published dozens since then, among them The Fool and the Flying Ship and Gruesome Guide to World Monsters.

The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition is free to the public.

Auto-etching day: The Dartmouth Police Department will sponsor an auto-etching day today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UMass Dartmouth resident dining, which is accessible from Centennial Way at the Cross Walk. The cost is $10 per vehicle. The glass etching entails chemically etching the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on every window. Vehicles owner who have the etching done receive a 15 percent discount on their auto insurance. For information, call Officer Steven Mello, 910-1773 or Lt. Ken Cotta, 508 910-1723.

Fall River

Ballet seeks support: Due to the rising costs of production and lack of corporate sponsorship, the Spindle City Ballet has decided to scale back the season to one performance of The Nutcracker and two fundraising events, An Evening with the Staulbaulms and an Afternoon with Clara.

Supporters are encouraged to go to the ballet’s Web site, www.spindlecityballet.org for information on programs and ways to get involved from the smallest level through corporate sponsorship levels. Spindle City Ballet is located at 288 Plymouth Ave. For information, call 536-6073.

Rehoboth

Land Trust property to open: The Rehoboth Land Trust will open its conservation area, the Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land property, Thursday at 5 p.m. This event is free to the public. Maps will be available for those interested in walking the property.

This ecologically significant, 63-acre property is on Pond Street within the Palmer River watershed. The property is a key segment within a corridor or open space along the Palmer River that is being linked together as part of the Palmer River Greenway.

Astronomical open house: The Astronomical Society of Southern New England will hold “Rehoboth Skies!” Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Carpenter Museum. This event features talks by ASSNE members on the differences in different kinds of telescopes, on how-tos of astrophotography, historic telescopes in nearby Fall River that you can see and view through, and much more. The event also features an observing field behind the Carpenter Museum filled with dozens of world-class telescopes. This event, which is free to all, will be held rain or shine.

Funding proposals sought: The Rehoboth Cultural Council is seeking funding proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science projects. The deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community is Oct. 15.

These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.

The council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups through the PASS Program, a ticket subsidy program for schoolage children.

This year, the council will distribute about $4,300 in grants. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available on the Web at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp.

Senior citizens meet: The Best is Yet, a senior citizens activity organization, will meet Thursday for a trip to Fall River to visit two parks and view the Iwo Jima Statue replica. Members will meet at the Council on Aging office at the Gladys L. Hurrell Senior Center, Bay State Road (Route 118) at 11 a.m. Those planning to participate are asked to bring a bagged lunch. In case of rain, the meeting will be held at the COA at 12:30 p.m.

Also, members will attend exotic fruit class at Hannaford’s Oct. 17. Participants will meet at the COA at 10:30 a.m.

Member’s Choice Day is Thursday. Members are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Rehoboth Food Pantry.

New members are always welcome. For information, call Pat Higson, 252-4602.

Seekonk

New programs: The Newman YMCA, 472 Taunton Ave., is offering new special needs and youth programs for individuals ages 5 to 14. Special needs programs include instructional sports leagues (basketball, soccer, and dodgeball) and dance classes. New youth programs include Lego engineering, dance, Physical Exercise Program and a chorus. For information, call 336-7103.

Selectman available: Selectman Francis Cavaco will be available to meet with constituents Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Selectmen Meeting Room at Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck St. Town Residents are invited to discuss issues or concerns with him.

Swansea

Library talk: Swansea Public Library, 69 Main St., will host a talk author Edward Lodi on his book, Ghosts from King Philip’s War, tomorrow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. He will discuss his years of research into hauntings and unsolved mysteries associated with that conflict.

King Philip’s War, which began in Swansea in 1675, quickly spread throughout New England and became a general uprising of the Indians against the English. Lodi will talk about haunted sites that can easily be visited and the stories behind them.

The talk is sponsored by The Friends of the Swansea Public Library. Refreshments will be served, and a book signing will follow.

Founders’ Festival participants wanted: The First Baptist Church, 21 Baptist St., is looking for crafters, artists, musicians, public officials, poets and people to participate in its sixth annual Founders’ Festival to be held Oct. 18 at the church’s meeting house.

The festival’s format will be the same as it has been in the past: displays of a arts in any medium and crafts throughout the facility, music all styles from jazz to bluegrass in 20- to 25-minute performances on the half hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and food: a New England luncheon served from 11 to 2 p.m. There will be a baked food table, games for children and historical displays.

Those who are interested in participating in The Founders’ Festival can call the church office at 379-9728. To contact the church by e-mail, send an e-mail to fbcswansea@aol.com for more information or registration forms. Participation registration will close Sunday. Visit the church’s Web site at www.firstbaptistinswansea.org.

Awards banquet: The Swansea Independent Baseball League will host its 30th annual season-ending awards banquet Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at White’s of Westport, Route 6, Westport. Members of all 2008 SIBL divisional championship and travel teams will receive trophies and all Instructional Division players in attendance will receive awards.

Divisional championship teams to be honored are the Pinto Division Mariners, Mustang Division Grasshoppers, Bronco Division/National League Giants and Bronco Division/American League Yankees. Travel teams to be feted include the 7-8 A, 7-8 B, 9, Swansea Tigers (9-10 A), 9-10 B, 11, Swansea Cardinals (11-12 A) and 11-12 B squads.

Tickets are $13 for league players and youngsters of ages 12 years and younger and $16 for all others. Tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. For tickets and information, call 675-3213. Information about the SIBL is available at www.sibl.net.