NOTICE: For your convenience, you can e-mail your bulletin board notices to briang@rhodybeat.com as well as mail to 1944 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI 02889, or fax to 732-3110.

Tri-City Elks

Blood drive March 25, 9 a.m.-12 noon. Coffee and pastry will be served. Come give the gift of life. Did you know that one pint of blood saves three lives? The blood drive will be in the downstairs hall.

Zumba lessons continue every Tuesday night from 6-7 p.m. Instructor is Lorraine Blanchard. Cost is $6 pp.Country Line Dancing Monday nights with Lori Enos, runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Cost is $6 per person. Zumba Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Class given by Lorraine Blanchard.

Rotary Speaker

This week’s speaker at the Warwick Rotary Club is David Bradley, digital transformation expert. The Warwick Rotary meets at 12 noon every Thursday at the Chelo’s Restaurant on Post Road in Warwick. Visitors are always welcome to attend. Rotary’s goal is to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.

MDA Volunteers Needed

The Muscular Dystrophy Association believes in living life unlimited. Currently, they’re seeking volunteers (to start in February 2017) to make telephone calls to businesses participating in the Shamrocks program (no solicitation involved). Calls will be made from their offices in Warwick between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays. If interested, email David Ciesielski at dciesielski@mdausa.org or call at 732-1910.

Friends of Warwick Ponds

Friends of Warwick Ponds presents Monitoring Water Quality in Warwick Pond and Warwick Pond's Yearly Fish Run March 21 6:30 p.m. Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Linda Green, Director, URI Watershed Watch, and Phil Edwards, Diadromous Fish Project Leader and Fish Passage Coordinator, RIDEM, will be the speakers. This event is free and open to the public.

Ocean State Toastmasters

Ocean State Toastmasters will hold its next meeting March 21 from 7-9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The club is one of 13,500 in Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the development of public speaking and leadership skills. The organization has approximately 280,000 members in 116 countries. For more information, contact Robert Rogers, vice president of membership, at 782-7637 or Robert_Rogers@acm.org.

Gaspee Seniors

The next meeting of the Gaspee Seniors will be held March 23 at the Toll Gate Dining Facility. They will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day. Arrive at 11:30 a.m., as lunch will be served at 12 noon.

Smorgasbord

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 9 New London Ave. to Wells St., West Warwick, is hosting a smorgasbord March 25 with continuous service from 5-7 p.m. Donation is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12.

Silent Auction & Italian Dinner

Asbury United Methodist Church, 550 Fair St., will host a silent auction and Italian dinner March 25. Bid on some wonderful items and services at 5 p.m. in the Social Hall. Dinner will be catered by Rigatoni’s; vegetarian and gluten free available. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids, under 3 are free. For more information call Kathleen at 921-6850.

Free Community Lunch

There will be a free community lunch and food pantry March 25 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick. Everyone is invited to participate.

Warwick Municipal Retirees Association

The Warwick Municipal Retirees Association’s next meeting is March 29 at the Pilgrim Senior Center at 10:30 a.m. Join for coffee and pastry and lively discussions. Any questions or concerns contact Lois Cerrito at 738-1768.

Trout Unlimited

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will host its monthly membership meeting March 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich. In addition to regular business, they will be discussing their annual banquet on April 1. Tickets will be available at the meeting or by contacting Chapter President Glenn Place at TU225President@gmail.com or by calling 225-7712. Also discussed will be the upcoming educational events, projects and activities that the chapter will be involved in during the year. As usual, this meeting will allow members and guests to network, tell fishing and fly tying tales of the past cold winter months, discuss opening day tactics and other items of interest. A 50/50 raffle and “Swag Bag” raffle, with proceeds benefiting the chapter will be available. For additional information, contact chapter president Glenn Place 225-7712 or email TU225President@gmail.com.

Lentin Dinner

The Warwick Council of the Knights of Columbus #2295 will be hosting a Lentin dinner/fundraiser March 31 at 475 Sandy Lane. All proceeds to benefit Warwick's Catholic Elementary Scholarship Fund. Dinner will include your choice of baked stuffed scrod or vegetable lasagna, salad with roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli. Macaroni and cheese will also be available for children at no charge. Dinner will be served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a cash bar and music. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at www.kofc2295.org on the events page (click add to cart), or contact 737-9887 Monday through Friday after 4 p.m.

Men’s Senior Softball

Registration is now underway for men 57 and older to join the Warwick Senior Softball League. It is a recreational league whose priorities are fun, safety and friendly competition. You do not have to be a Warwick resident to join. All games (double headers) begin at 9 a.m. and are played at Buttonwoods City Park in Warwick on Wednesday mornings. The fee is $25. Deadline for registration is March 31. The playing season is from May 3 to August 30. For more information contact Bill Russo at 714-9597 or email wrusso7@yahoo.com.

Warwick Figure Skaters

Warwick Figure Skaters will hold an open registration for their spring programs April 8 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Thayer Arena, 975 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Their learn-to-skate programs taught by professional instructors will begin April 22 and end June 25 (9 weeks). Club information and application is available on their web site: www.warwickfs.org.

Academic and Community Achievement Award

The Greater Warwick Lions Club announces its Academic and Community Achievement Award eligibility program. They will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship this year. This award is available to Warwick high school seniors residing in Warwick. The Greater Warwick Lions Club is a chartered member of Lions Club International and dedicated to the concept of community service. This award takes into account financial need and academic achievement as well as demonstrated community service of the applicants. To receive an application, contact your guidance department or send a request to Ron Bergeron, GWLC Scholarship Chairman, 106 Wilson Ave., Warwick RI, 02889. The application submission deadline is May 15.

20-Week Raffles

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, is selling 20-week raffle tickets for $20. Drawings will be held weekly for $25 prize money with additional bonus drawings of $50, $100 and $500. The first drawing was held Oct. 31 and will run for 20 weeks. Multiple chances to win as winning tickets are put back into the pot. Tickets are available at the church Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon or after any of the weekend Masses. For more information or any questions call 737-3127. All money raised helps support the Mission and Ministries of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Chartercare Scholarships

The Chartercare Foundation is now accepting applications for nursing scholarships; applicants must be Rhode Island residents and have been accepted to or currently enrolled in a Rhode Island accredited nursing program. Deadline is April 30. For details and application visit www.chartercarefoundation.org; click on scholarships.

Sailing Courses

Need your RI State Boating Card to operate a PWC or power boat? Want to be a safe boater? How about learning to sail? Or maybe you’d like to learn navigation. Choose from one of three courses offered by North Star Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Power boating covers federal regulations, boat handling, rules of the road, marlinspike, electronic navigation, etc. It meets for eight weeks, twice a week. The sail course covers points of sail, rigging the boat, heavy weather sailing, electronic navigation etc. and meets for eight weeks twice a week. Coastal Navigation starts with presumption of no knowledge and takes you up to celestial navigation. You learn charts, DR track, line of position, currents, etc. It meets for 16 weeks twice a week, with optional help sessions. All classes are held Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 9:15 p.m. at Toll Gate High School. All three classes have lots of hands-on and a proctor room if you need to catch up. Sign up your whole crew. Discounts for immediate family. Classes began February 27 but you can still join. Call 739-6028 or go to www.northstarflotilla.com for information or to sign up.

Meadowlark Seniors

Meadowlark Seniors, a social club, holds weekly meetings every Thursday at the St. Kevin Parish Hall, 333 Sandy Lane, at 1:30. The meetings are followed by coffee and refreshments. After refreshments, an activity also follows. All seniors are invited to visit and see what the club is all about.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

As a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, you’re all too familiar with the frustration and heartache that come from trying to stir the memory of someone you love. But when you attend this Alzheimer’s support group, held the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m., you can discuss the challenges you face, meet others with similar experiences and find solutions that can improve the quality of life for you and your loved one. For reservations or more information call 739-7300.

Bowlers Needed

Bowlers are needed at Meadowlark Lanes Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. Contact Rusty at 714-6633, rmbudlong@cox.net or Everett at 739-5343, everettg1@verizon.net.

Physical Fitness Training

A local non-profit will bring organized basketball, nutrition education and physical fitness training to 160-200 youth in Warwick. The program will run through Feb. 28, and players only pay a $25 fee for the entire season. They are a registered 501©3 non-profit, and they are currently close to capacity. For more information, call Stephen Pope, director, Hoop Dreams Rhode Island, at 391-1117.

TOPS

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) RI Chapter #44 Warwick meets every Wednesday night at St. Rita's Church, 722 Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick. Weigh-in is from 6:30-6:45 p.m. The meeting will follow at 6:50. Weekly dues are $2; yearly dues are $32. For more information about this chapter or others around the state, contact TOPS Leader Nicole Johnson-Morais at 332-7616, nicoleistops2015@yahoo.com or visit www.tops.org.

Wanted: Norwood Crime Watch Participants

The Norwood Neighborhood Association Crime Watch Committee is looking for residents to be part of a crime-prevention program. If you would like to be part of this important initiative, email to norwoodna@verizon.net or call NNA at 785-0616. Minimal time is required but it could save you a lot of headaches in response to a crime.

Bowlers Needed

Bowlers are needed for a Monday night league starting at 6:30 at Meadowbrook Lanes in Warwick. Call Pat at 737-0361 or 523-7108.

Old Warwick Grange #41

The Grange is a fraternal non-profit organization with a special interest in community service. Their history is as an agricultural organization and the traditions of faith, patriotism, leadership and family values. Their meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; no meetings in July or August. The Grange hall is located at 1175 West Shore Road, Warwick. For more information call 465-7259.

Transformation Tuesday

Transformation Tuesday is held at Kon Asian Bistro, 553 Main Street, East Greenwich, the third Tuesday of every month from 7 p.m.-8:30. Mingle and hear solutions for weight loss, having more energy, raising your performance and healthy aging. Come ready to sample products. To register or for more information call at Cindy 497-5656.

TOPS

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Rhode Island Chapter #38, East Greenwich meets every Thursday at the Women & Infants Center, 1050 Main Street, East Greenwich. Weigh-in begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 9:50. The meeting will follow at 10. Weekly dues are $1.50; yearly dues are $32. For more information about TOPS, call TOPS Greeter Carole Paster from Exeter at 295-8381, e-mail cpaster1@verizon.net, call (800) 932-8677 or visit www.tops.org.

Moms for Moms

Support a new mother, share your experience and make a new friend. You can make a difference with just one hour a week. Moms for Moms/Families First RI helps pregnant women and new mothers deal with an enormous transition by matching them with trained volunteers who are mothers themselves. The program provides emotional and social support and strives to connect new moms to resources within their own communities. Mentors develop a warm, supportive relationship while spending time with the new mom in their homes, accompanying them on outings and attending mom gatherings. They will train you and provide supervisory support to volunteers. Dont miss out on this opportunity. Contact 383-9933 or email admin@familiesfirstri.org.

Greenwich Bay Women’s Club

The Greenwich Bay Women’s Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Atria Harborhill, 159 Division St. on the Warwick/East Greenwich line) to work together to make a difference in local communities. There are no age or residency requirements to join and meetings are open. If you would like further information, contact membership chair Diane Gadoury at 860-465-7987.

Warwick Historical Society

The Warwick Historical Society meets weekly at the John Waterman Arnold House on Roger Williams Circle Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and every second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. All are welcome and urged to become member and volunteer. Visit www.whsri.org, join them on Facebook or call 737-4617 for more information.

Hi-Lo-Jack League

The Warwick Senior Citizens Hi-Lo-League is held Mondays at the Buttonwoods Community Center, Tuesdays at the Pilgrim Senior Center and Thursdays at the Buttonwoods Community Center, all starting at 12:30 p.m. Call Ray Walsh at 497-8097 or George Gange 739-6682.

Photographic Society of RI

The Photographic Society of Rhode Island welcomes camera enthusiasts of all abilities. Meetings are held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month, September through May at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Ave. For more information visit www.psri.us.

Hospice Volunteer Informational Meeting

The VNA of Care New England conducts weekly hospice volunteer informational meetings at the VNA of Care New England, 51 Health Lane, Warwick. Have you ever wondered how you can make the difference in the life of a family whose loved one is in hospice care? Do you want to join with a dedicated hospice volunteer program that provides training and ongoing support in this most rewarding work? Come and find out more about the VNA of Care New England hospice Call Carolyn McDonough, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at 921-7614 to register.

Moms RI

Support a new mother, share your experience and make a new friend. You can make a difference with just on hour a week. Moms for Moms RI helps pregnant women and new mothers deal with an enormous transition by matching them with trained volunteers who are mothers themselves. The program provides emotional and social support and strives to connect new moms to resources within their own communities. Mentors develop a warm, supportive relationship while spending time with the new mom in their homes, accompanying them on outings, and attending mom gatherings. You will be trained and provided supervisory support from volunteers. Contact Sally at 383-9933.

Mentoring

Do you have an hour a week to spare? That’s all it takes to make a difference in the life of a child. Today’s children need positive, caring adult role models to help them develop confidence, self-esteem, and a desire to stay in school. For more information on the Warwick Mentor Program, contact Pamela Sherman at 732-7700 x117 or visit the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership website at www.mentorRI.org.

Aphasia Conversation Group

On the second Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m., Sargent Rehabilitation Center, 800 Quaker Lane, Warwick, holds an aphasia conversation group. This group provides a supportive meeting place for people with aphasia to socialize and share their communication challenges and strategies. There is no charge for participation. Attendance is limited to individuals with aphasia only. For more information contact Lucia Watson, MS, SLP at 886-6600 or visit www.sargentcenter.org.

Fife & Drum Corps

Join the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps of Warwick and continue the great tradition of Colonial/Revolutionary history through music. The Fife & Drum Corps meets every Wednesday night at Wyman Elementary School from 6:30-8 p.m. The corps is open to anyone over the age of 12. Drum and fife instruction is available to beginners.

Free Sunday Lunch

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 389 Greenwich Ave., is offering a free lunch for anyone in need of a meal or companionship. All are welcome every Sunday from 11:15-11:45 p.m. For more information call 737-6758.

Rhode Island Pet Bird Club

The R.I. Pet Bird Club welcomes anyone who owns birds or has an interest in exotic birds. Meet other people who have birds, listen to guest lecturers and more. The meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. For more information call Michele at 739-7290 or visit www.orgsites.com/ri/ripbc.

Free Pet Food

Bonniedale Farm in North Scituate offers dog and cat food at no cost to struggling pet owners, hoping to provide for the animals while easing the burden on community members facing tough times. Those wishing to donate or in need of pet food can contact Dan MacKenzie at 574-6056. The mailing address for the farm is 1097 Chopmist Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857, while the physical address is 1056 Danielson Pike, North Scituate. MacKenzie asks that visitors call before making the trip. More information can be found online at www.bonniedalefarmanimalsanctuary.com.

Fife and Drum Corps

The Kentish Guards Fife and Drum Corps rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. at the Kentish Guards Armory on Pierce St. in East Greenwich. Free lessons on playing the fife are provided to men and young men interested in joining the corps.

Grief Support

If you have experienced the loss of someone you love and are ready to begin or continue the healing process, then you are welcome to come to a grief support group. The group meets at the Christ Church Office condo, 61 Cedar Ave #6, East Greenwich, Sundays from 2-4 p.m. For more information visit the Christ Church website (www.christchurchec.org), call the Church office (884-8632) or email info@christchurchec.org.

Evening Counseling Available

If you are experiencing depression, anxiety or overwhelming stress coupled with an addiction to or dependence on drugs or alcohol, then The Kent Center’s new evening program may be right for you. The Kent Center is offering an intensive outpatient program for people battling co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders Program hours are 4:40-8 p.m., making it accessible for people who work. The program is confidential and personalized to meet individual needs. For more information call 732-5656.

Help for Victims of Crime

Are you a victim of physical or sexual assault, domestic violence, untreated childhood abuse, or another crime or traumatic event? Are you experiencing depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, increased substance use or other emotional difficulties? If so, you may be eligible to receive counseling services free of charge at The Kent Center (www.thekentcenter.org). Victims of crimes and other traumatic events often experience debilitating psychiatric symptoms that may have long-term affects if left untreated. Seek treatment today at 732-5656.

Volunteers Needed to Sew

Looking for something to do to help foster kids? Organizers of The Sewing Project to Help Foster Kids are looking for volunteers who want to help sew pillowcase or duffel bags for foster children. Currently their belongings are sometimes put in black trash bags. Foster parent Adriane Grimaldi in Scottsdale, Ariz. started the Sewing Project in February 2008 for children taken from their homes by Child Protective Services (CPS) to make kid-friendly bags for carrying their belongings instead of trash bags. To date, people have made 6,700 pillowcase bags for foster kids Pillowcase bags are delivered to CPS to use instead of trash bags. The Sewing Project has opened a new Rhode Island Chapter working with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and is in need of volunteers to sew. For more information contact Hollie Galloway at holliegal@verizon.net.

Cornerstone Church

Cornerstone Church, 1990 Elmwood Ave., Warwick, is member of the RI Community Food Bank. Hours of operation are the first and third Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m. and the second and fourth Monday from 6-8 p.m. For more information call 781-6121.

Domestic Abuse Support Groups

The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center is a non-profit agency providing services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The agency offers morning and evening support groups for adults dealing with current or past domestic abuse Groups provide a safe place to talk with others who have shared similar experiences. The groups are confidential and free of charge. For more information call Jessica at 738-1700.

Developmental Screening

The Child Outreach Department of the Warwick Public Schools, in cooperation with the Volunteers of Warwick schools (VOWS), conducts regular preschool screening clinics. All Warwick preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5 are offered the Early Screening Inventory-Revised (ESI-R). This is a free service provided by the Warwick Public Schools. Participation in a Developmental Screening is a long established program of the Warwick School Department that provides families with information about their child’s development and offers information about community resources. For more information, or to arrange a clinic appointment for your preschool aged child, call the VOWS office at 734-3230.