Regional

Narragansett Bay boat advisory: The East Passage of Narragansett Bay beneath the Pell Bridge will be temporarily closed to vessel traffic Saturday between 8 and 10 a.m. for the Save The Bay swim. The Coast Guard will allow vessels to pass on a case-by-case basis during the event, and can be contacted on VHF channel 16 (marine radio). Boaters with questions or concerns should contact Save The Bay, 272-3540.

Fiesta Verde 2008: Aquidneck Land Trust’s annual Fiesta Verde will be held Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market at Newport Vineyards, East Main Road. This year’s theme, “An Evening at the Farmer’s Market,” is inspired by the local growers and producers on Aquidneck Island. The menu will include appetizers, entrees and desserts made from fresh, local fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy, and many local farmers and artisan producers will be present at the party, hosting farm stands where party-goers can meet them and learn about their businesses.

The Duke Robillard Band will perform after dinner. The raffle offers two special prizes — a rooftop party for up to 20 people at Newport’s Hotel Viking or a four-day trip to California’s Sonoma Valley. Silent auction tables featuring artwork, jewelry, get-aways and more will be open until 10:15 p.m. Dress is informal, with ties optional.

To purchase raffle tickets or make event reservations, call 849-2799. All proceeds from the event support the land trust.

Girls softball tryouts: RI Thunder has scheduled tryouts for its 12U girls fast pitch softball team for the fall ’08 and summer ’09 seasons. RI Thunder plays a competitive “A” level schedule. Tryouts will be held Sundays to Aug. 2, Aug. 3-9 and Aug. 10-17. For field locations and/or more information, call 641-5829, 439-1383 or e-mail thunda12u@hotmail.com. Information is also available at www.eteamz.com/rithunderblue10u.

Triathlon: The first Naval Station Newport Sprint Triathlon will be held Aug. 3 at 7 a.m. from the Stillwater Basin north of Pier 2. Check-in will begin at 6 a.m. with the first wave of swimmers starting at 8. Distances include a one-third mile swim, a 16-mile bicycle ride and a 3½-mile run.

The swim is an open salt water swim. Wetsuits will be allowed, although not required. Fins or flippers are prohibited. All participants must wear an undamaged or unaltered bike helmet. All participants must show identification at check-in on race day. A military or Department of Defense ID must be shown for those who register as active duty, family member, retiree, reservist or DoD employee.

Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female of each age category as follows: under 29; 30 to 37; 38 to 44; 45 to 49; and 50 and over; plus top overall military male and female; top three military, male, female and coed teams.

Entry fees are as follows: $25 for active duty members, retirees, family members and reservists; $40 for DoD employees; $50 for the general public; and $60 for two- or three-member teams.

Register at www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1598106. For information, call Naval Station Newport Gym 109 at 841-3154.

Barrington

Triathlon training clinics: The Bayside Family YMCA is hosting a series of training clinics for the Bayside Family YMCA annual triathlon on Aug. 16. These free clinics will be held at the Barrington Beach at the end of Bay Road. Each seminar will start promptly at 9 a.m.

The first clinic will be the swim seminar Saturday. Following a short discussion related to open water swimming, the group will swim the actual triathlon course. Swimmers are asked to come with brightly colored swim cap, goggles and towel. Wetsuits are optional.

The second clinic, Aug. 2, will be on biking. The discussion will cover the swim-to-bike transition, followed by a 12.5-mile ride along the actual route. This is a good opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with the route.

The last seminar, Aug. 9, will cover the run. Following a short discussion regarding running form and function, participants will run the 3.1-mile racecourse.

All seminars are geared for first-time or beginner triathletes, but all are welcome. Handouts regarding what to bring on race day and pointers for all three disciplines will be distributed at each clinic.

Registration is not required. Attend all or one of the seminars. For information contact instructor Joe Sbardella at 487-1622 or Edna Kurtzman at the Bayside Family YMCA, 245-2444.

Bristol

Walking tour: The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, 48 Court St., will hold its next walking tour today at 3:30 p.m. Led by Ray Battcher, it will cover parts of downtown Bristol. The walking tours are $5 for nonmembers and free to members. Call 253-7223 for information. Memberships will be available at the tours. There is adequate parking and the society is wheelchair accessible.

East Providence

Lead hazard awareness seminar: East Bay Community Action’s Lead Hazard Education and Outreach Program is offering free lead hazard mitigation seminars to owners of rental property. In Rhode Island, most owners of pre-1978 rental property are required to be aware of Rhode Island rules and regulations regarding lead mitigation hazards.

Seminars will be held July 30 at 6 p.m. at East Providence City Hall, Taunton Avenue; Aug. 20 at 2 p.m., Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. at East Bay Community Action Program, 100 Bullocks Point Ave., East Providence. Registration is required and seating is limited. For information, or to register for one of these classes, call 437-0006, ext 147, or e-mail leadinfo@ebcap.org.

Little Compton

Family movie nights: The Little Compton Community Center, the Commons, will host family movie nights on Mondays July 28, Aug. 11 and 25. Pizza is served at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 7. The cost is $6 for center members, $8 for nonmembers, which includes two slices of pizza, soda or juice, popcorn and the movie. Child care is available for $2. Family pricing is $25 family members, $30 nonmember families. For those who want to attend only the movie, the cost is $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers. Call by 5 p.m. the day of the show to reserve. For information, call 635-2400.

Benefit festival: The 10th annual Sakonnet Rhythm & Blues Festival to benefit the Little Compton Community Center will be held Sunday at Sakonnet Vineyards, West Main Road. Gates will open at 11 a.m. with an opening set by the Bob Demers Band. Featured musicians include The Gin Dogs, Roger Ceresi’s All Stars, Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish, Eilen Jewell & The Sacred Shakers, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & B’nois King, Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles.

Sakonnet wines and Narragansett beers will be sold as well an assortment of other drinks and food. All proceeds will benefit the Little Compton Community Center. Tickets are $25 at the gate, $20 in advance at LCCC, Lees Supermarket, and Sakonnet Vineyards. Children under 10 are free. No bottles, cans or coolers are allowed in the gate. Volunteers are needed. Call 635-2400 or visit www.lccenter.com and click on Annual Events.

Middletown

Gardening program: Prescott Farm, in Middletown, will offer a program titled “Gardens Then and Now,” Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn modern sustainable gardening techniques from URI master gardeners. Participate in demonstrations on harvesting, organic pest control, selecting heritage plant varieties, and other helpful tips. Learn about colonial-era uses of herbs and vegetables, as well as popular beverages of the period. The cost is $5 per person with a family maximum cost of $15. For information, call 324-6090 or e-mail Lisa@newportrestoration.org.

Newport

Storytelling performance: The Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St., will present Anne-Marie Forer and Cindy Killavey in Take Two, a storytelling performance for children ages 4 and up, today at 10:30 a.m. in the lower level program room. As the eminent entomologists Ant Annieh & Ms. Beeh, the pair invites the audience to participate in song and story. No registration is necessary for this free program, just drop in. For information, visit www.newportlibraryri.org or call 847-8720, ext. 204.

Bolshoi Ballet presentation: Over the next few weeks, digital cinema presentations of The Bolshoi Ballet and La Scala’s ballet will be presented at the Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center, Touro Street.

Moviegoers will be able to see the Bolshoi’s ballets The Pharaoh’s Daughter, tomorrow at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon and Bolt, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. There will be a presentation of La Scala’s ballet Mediterranea, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.

For ticket information, contact Kathy Staab, president/theater owner, kathy@janepickens.com or 846-5474.

Summer programs: The City of Newport Recreation Department is offering a number of summer programs for youth and adults.

Several specialty camps for children are half day programs, such as dance, performing arts, cheerleading and soccer. They can be combined with a half day at the department’s summer day camp program at Vernon Park or the Hut. The general day camps are for children entering grades 1 and 2, grades 3 to 5 and Teen Extreme for grades 6 to 8. These full day programs include after-camp care and lunch and a field trip weekly. In addition there are tennis lessons and basketball leagues held weekly for youth.

Adults can enjoy tennis lessons and recreational tennis leagues.

Easton’s Beach is offering its own youth programming for surfing and fitness and information is also on the recreation Web page, www.cityofnewport.com, or call the beach at 845-5810. For more information on sponsoring a child to go to camp or take lessons, contact Newport Recreation at 845-5800.

Tiverton

Annual clambake: The First Baptist “Old Stone” Church, Stone Church Road, will hold its annual clambake Saturday at 4 p.m. Held on the shaded church grounds, the menu includes clams with melted butter, sweet corn, white and sweet potatoes, onions, hotdogs, chourico, sausage, stuffing, brown bread and beverages. Tickets are $30 for adults, $12.50 for children 11 and under and free for children under the age of 3. For reservations, call the church office, 624-4155, contact Pastor Pat Crough at pastorpat@fbosc.necoxmail.com, or call Marion Warren, 624-4615, by today.

Cultural Survival Bazaar: The Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center will host its eighth annual Cultural Survival Bazaar Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of The Meeting House, 3852 Main Rd. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine.

Cultural Survival Bazaars are free-admission events throughout New England. Those who attend benefit indigenous communities worldwide by shopping for unique, fairly traded items handcrafted by artisans in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The event will also offer a variety of ethnic cuisine. Live “world music” performances and presentations include Yarina, a Quichua band from Ecuador, traditional Lakota singing and drumming by Tim Swallow, traditional Northern Cheyenne and Mohawk storytelling by Leonard Four Hawks and a performance by La Tuza, a Mexican roots music group.