Earth Day cleanups: Newport’s Clean City Program would like to work with local community and neighborhood groups interested in organizing cleanups in Newport to celebrate Earth Day, April 22.

The Clean City Program, along with Earth Day Rhode Island and the Department of Environmental Management , can assist groups with supplies such as bags and gloves. Also each group’s event can be placed on the City of Newport’s Web site and with other announcements, in order to help attract volunteers.

In addition to Earth Day planning, the Clean City Program would like to work with area merchant associations that might be interested in starting a pilot recycling program in downtown Newport. The program can provide the recycling containers, but would like input on design and location.

For information on either the Earth Day Cleanup or downtown recycling project contact Clean City Coordinator, Brooke Stones, at 845-5613 or bstones@cityofnewport.com.

Grant awarded: Newport Community School recently received a $12,000 Cox Charities grant. The organization will use the Cox Charities grant for its enhanced academic center.

Applications available: The Newport Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force will again present three Community Service Awards to graduating seniors from Rogers High School at the organization’s annual luncheon this month. These awards have been made available through a partnership effort of the NSAPTF with the North Family Trust.

Each award includes $1,000 grant, to help graduating students with college costs. To be eligible, applicants must be currently involved in or have been actively involved in a community or school based alcohol, tobacco or other drug abuse prevention program or project during their school years.

Program in Marine Systems: The International Yacht Restoration School will offer comprehensive training in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting onboard systems such as electrical, electronic, steering, plumbing and propulsion. IYRS’ systems courses are now offered as individual modules at the school’s new satellite facility in Bristol. In the fall, these modules will be fused into a full-time, one-year program.

For more information on the IYRS Marine Systems Program, contact Clark Poston, 848-5777, ext. 210, or e-mail him at clark@iyrs.org. Information can also be found at the Web site, at www.iyrs.org.

Honorary chairs selected: At a recent meeting, the steering committee for this summer’s fundraising event for the Newport Public Library unanimously selected Linda and David Gordon as the honorary co-chairs. The event is being coordinated by Mary O’Dea King and Marvin Abney.

“Under the Big Top”, the theme for this summer’s event, is slated for Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the library, 300 Spring St. The proceeds will support children’s services and programs. The event depends on community support for the library, a nonprofit organization that is not a department of the city. There are many sponsorship opportunities available. For information about these opportunities, call the library, 847-8720, ext. 100 or 113.

Support group for MS: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Rhode Island Chapter offers a local self-help group meeting on the last Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Newport Hospital, 11 Friendship St. For information call 682-1128 or 846-4929.

Volunteers needed: Child and Family Services is looking for women who could spend time with a young girl. The agency provides services to the families of a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old who need some special attention. Both like arts and crafts and typical age appropriate activities. They need help with social skills and would respond well to a volunteer interested in spending time with them. Volunteers would be screened and asked to make a year-long commitment. The CFS social worker provides supervision and support.

CFS also needs typists who are proficient in Microsoft Word and could input several manuals. Call the Volunteer Office at 848-4210 if you are interested in any of these assignments or would like to know what else the agency has available.

Award received: The Blue Rose Fiber Optic Perimeter Security and Detection System, developed at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, has been named a winner of the 2007 Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, sponsored by the Federal Laboratory Consortium.

The award recognizes laboratory employees who have accomplished outstanding work in the process of transferring a technology developed by a federal laboratory to the commercial marketplace. This most recent honor marks the fifth win for NUWC Division Newport in the national FLC award program since 2001.

Scholarship for Seamen: Applicants are being sought for the Leonard W. & Katherine C. Hayward Maritime Memorial Scholarship, which is intended to support students of all ages who are preparing for employment in the maritime occupations. Students must reside in Newport County and be accepted for admission in an accredited educational program which will assist in preparing them for seafaring occupations by providing academic and/or hands-on experience.

Scholarship application should be made by means of a simple one-page letter explaining the eligibility, goals and financial status of the student applicant. Applications should be addressed to: The Scholarship Committee, Seamen’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, Newport, RI 02840. The deadline to apply is May 16.

Office assistant volunteer needed: The Women’s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties currently has an available position for an office assistant volunteer. Volunteers should be able to start immediately in the center’s Newport office, 114 Touro St., or at its Warren office, 624 Main St. As with all positions at the Women’s Resource Center, a background check and confidentially agreement will be required.

For more information or to apply, contact Lisa Sheley, Events & Volunteer Coordinator, 846-5263, ext. 116.