News Briefs

Mosaic Club Book Award

Applications for the Mosaic Club of Newport County’s three $750 book awards are now available in the guidance office at Rogers, Middletown, and Portsmouth high schools. The awards are open to graduating seniors who will be entering college or a vocational, technical, or trade school. Awards are based on the following criteria: volunteer and community service, recommendations, and an essay. The deadline is April 24.

Scholarship Information

Organizations or clubs that offer scholarships to Newport County students are invited to share that information with NTW readers. Email the requirements and deadline to news@newportthisweek.net.

Irish Session Fundraiser

The Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold an Irish music session fundraiser to benefit the family of recently deceased Lady Hibernian Eilish Heaney on Friday, Feb. 27, at Hibernian Hall. The evening will feature performances by local musicians, including the AOH Men’s Singers, and plenty of traditional Irish fare and “pub grub” will be available. The benefit will run from 7-10 p.m. and all ages are welcome. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 401-847-8671.

St. Practice Day Rescheduled

The St. Practice Day parade fundraiser, snowed out on Sunday, Feb 15, has been rescheduled to Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1-4 p.m. at O’Brien’s Pub, 501 Thames St.

Irish Heritage Association Awards

The Newport Irish Heritage Association is seeking nominations for their CIVITAS Award and Fenian Award for 2015. Deadline is April 24. Last year’s CIVITAS Award was given to Ronald MacDonald and the Fenian award went to Robbie Lehane.

The CIVITAS Award is a community service award presented to a member of the Newport County community of non-Irish descent who is recognized by the association for volunteer service to the community.

The Fenian Award is presented to someone of Irish descent who represents the Irish and Irish culture and traditions in a positive way. Suggestions can be sent to The Newport Irish Heritage Association, P.O. Box 3114, Newport, RI 02840.

Awards will be presented at a dinner on May 28 at the La Forge Casino Restaurant.

For information about the awards, the dinner, the Paul Crowley Newport Irish Heritage Award for high school seniors, and other Newport Irish Heritage Association events, visit aohnewport.org or the Newport Irish Heritage Association Facebook page.

Municipal Court

Municipal Court was not in session on Monday, Feb. 16 because of the Presidents Day holiday. Judge J. Russell Jackson is due to reconvene court on Monday, Feb. 23.

Panera Bread Honoree

Howley Bread Group, a local franchise of Panera Bread, recently honored Amanda daCunha, of Newport, the Marketing Coordinator at Panera Bread/Howley Bread Group, with its Tom Howley Community Award. daCunha was recognized for her work with the Ryan’s Hope Foundation which was founded by Linda and Scott Hastings of Plainville, Massachusetts after their young son, Ryan, who was afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Carson Reschedules

Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) has rescheduled her constituent events from January. The first will take place Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St. All constituents in House District 75 are encouraged to attend and bring their ideas and questions. If the weather is questionable, check her website for any schedule changes at laurencarson.com.

The second event is scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m., also at the Newport Public Library.

In the category of fire prevention, the department performed 5 smoke alarm/CO inspections prior to property sales, 23 life safety/site inspections, 7 fire system plan reviews, 1 fire investigation and 4 acceptance tests for fire protection equipment.

FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE: FIRE EXTINGUISHER RECALL – Kidde Disposable Fire Extinguisher with plastic valve – A faulty valve component can cause the disposable fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released during a fire emergency, posing a risk of injury. This recall involves 31 models of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers with Zytel® black plastic valves. The recalled extinguishers are red, white, or silver and are either ABC or BC rated. The ratings can be found to the right of the nameplate. Manufacture dates included in the recall are July 23, 2013 through October 15, 2014. A 10-digit date code is stamped on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom. Digits five through nine represent the day and year of manufacture in DDDYY format. Recalled units were sold at The Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and other home / hardware stores nationwide. Consumer Contact: Kidde toll-free at (855) 283-7991 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.kidde.com.

Information provided by

Fire Marshal Wayne Clark

Lyme Support Group

The monthly Lyme Support Group will meet Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., and every third Thursday of the month, at Harbor House, 111 Washington St. (between VanZandt and Battery). For questions or more information contact Jane at lymenewport@gmail.com.

Public Forum on Choosing City Manager

The City of Newport Administration announces that a public forum will be held with residents and community/ business groups in connection with the upcoming executive recruitment for the position of city manager. Randi Frank Consulting, the city’s executive search consultant, will conduct the forum on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newport Public Library. The firm will solicit input on the qualities and attributes that citizens feel are important for inclusion in the compilation of the city manager position profile.

Residents and community/business groups are encouraged to attend and provide their input on this important effort.

Contact the city manager’s office at 401-845-5429 or email citymanager@cityofnewport.com with any questions on the public forum. Additional information will be available shortly on the city’s website: cityofnewport.com through the Engage Newport microsite engagenewport.com/. Input may also be sent directly to the city’s consultant via email at: randi@randifrank.com.

Potter Pet U

The topic of the next Potter Pet University is separation anxiety. The workshop will be presented by Sarah deVries, Behavior Services Manager, at the Potter League on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 6 – 7 p.m. Learn how to manage an anxious dog who barks and cries, chews on door frames, or destroys things when left alone.

Free and open to the public, Potter Pet U is for humans only; animals are asked to stay at home.

Pre-registration required, contact Anastacia Southland at 401- 846-0592 x 120 or anastacias@potterleague.org.

Off The Curb Holds Dance-a-thon

The nonprofit youth dance company Off The Curb, run by Jackie Henderson is holding a cardiodance a-thon fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Newport Elks Club on Pelham Street. Dance instruction will be provided for all dances. All ages are welcome. Suggested donation is $20. Off the Curb is trying to raise enough funds to offer free after school hip hop dance classes at all Aquidneck Island schools.

Architect Lecture at Redwood

Architect John Grosvenor will speak on Peter Harrison, architect of the Redwood Library, on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Redwood, beginning at 10:30 a.m. His talk will focus on Harrison’s influence on 18th-century architecture. “America’s First Architect” also designed Touro Synagogue and the Brick Market Place, as well as King’s Chapel in Boston and Christ’s Church in Cambridge, Mass. Admission is free. Reserve at 401-847-0292 x112.

KVH Tour

Newport County Mentor/ Co-Op Group is hosting a tour of KVH Industries in Middletown on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. for local area high school students. Buses will depart from The Met School, Rogers, Middletown, Portsmouth, and Tiverton high schools. Contact school based coordinators by Monday, Feb. 23 to sign up for the tour and to review the tour schedule.

For more information, call Linda Larsen, Tiverton High School, 401- 418-0600.

Smart Growth Nominations Sought

Grow Smart RI is accepting nominations for its 4th Annual Rhode Island Smart Growth Awards. “Each year, passionate, creative, and resourceful Rhode Islanders show us the way through projects, plans, and policies that play to Rhode Island’s strengths,” stated Scott Wolf, Grow Smart RI’s executive director.

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories through Feb. 27: Smart Growth Leadership (individual or organization), Outstanding Smart Growth Project, and Public Policy and Planning. The awards will be presented at a reception mid-May in Providence. For more information about the nomination process, previous award recipients, and event sponsorship opportunities, visit growsmartri.org.

Indoor Soccer

Registration is now open for the Newport County YMCA youth indoor soccer season for ages 4-8. The season runs from March 21– April 25. All games will be played on Saturdays at the Y. For more information visit newportymca.org, or contact Josh Anderson, Athletics & Outdoor Leadership Center Director, at 401-847-9200 x 113.

Save The Bay Swim Registration

Registration for the July 11 Save The Bay swim opens March 2. Nearly 500 swimmers and 200 kayakers made the 1.7 nautical-mile journey last year from Naval Station Newport across the East Passage to Jamestown’s Potter Cove to raise money for Save The Bay. Swimmers must be 15 years old. To sign-up, visit savebay.org.

‘Speaker of Interest’ Series Begins

The first presenter in the Portsmouth Republican Town Committee’s series will be Mark Smiley, Chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party.

The public is welcome to attend his presentation on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Portsmouth Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road. Smiley will relate the challenges faced and met during his chairmanship, as well as reveal future opportunities for the RIGOP.

Softball Workouts

Newport Softball is offering several indoor workouts for girls, ages 7 and up, at the Rogers High School gym through the end of March. Workouts will be held on Saturdays, Feb. 28 and March 7, 21 and 28 from 9-10:30 a.m.

Players will work on the fundamentals of softball, including drills to improve throwing, catching, fielding grounders and fly balls, base running and hitting. Sneakers must be worn – no cleats.

Volunteers are welcome and needed. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Tom Milburn at tburn33@hotmail.com. Visit newportlittleleague.com for cancellations or schedule changes.

Majors Baseball Clinics

Newport Little League is offering two baseball clinics for youth ages 10-12 who are planning to play in the majors division this year. Clinics will be held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, 95 Church St., on Mondays, Feb. 23 and March 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Volunteers are welcome and needed. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Kevin Weaver at weav18@cox.net.

Baseball and Softball Registration

Newport Little League is accepting registrations for spring baseball and softball. To register online, visit newportlittleleague.com.

In-person registration will be available at the clinics being held at the Boys & Girls Clubs, Church St., on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. for minors (typically ages 7-10) and Monday, Feb. 23 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. for majors.

The cost is $60 for the first player and $30 for each additional player, with a maximum fee of $120 per family. Scholarships are available.

Volunteers are welcome and needed. To volunteer, contact Anthony Borgueta at vp@newportlittleleague.com.