Around East Bay

Private well education: To help private well owners protect their drinking water supply, the University of Rhode Island has distributed copies of an educational DVD titled "Private Drinking Water Well Testing and Protection," available at selected libraries throughout the state where residents rely on private wells for their drinking water. This program provides private well owners with information to make informed decisions about protecting their drinking water supply.

The program contains interviews, graphics, and footage of a well being drilled to help viewers understand the importance of private well protection. Interviews with experts highlight how regular testing, maintenance and good housekeeping practices are vital to protecting private drinking water supplies. The program was distributed to 43 of the state’s public libraries.

Summer camp sign-ups: The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is accepting summer day camp registrations at the Environmental Education Center, Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol. Phone registrations will be taken after April 15 by calling 949-5454, ext. 3014. Nature day camps run for one-week sessions beginning June 25 and ending Aug. 17. Camps are for children from pre-kindergarten through grade 7.

Marine trades scholarships: The Rhode Island Harbormasters Association and the Bristol Boat Show are accepting applications for the Robert Carr Scholarship, to be awarded to two high school seniors who have been involved in a marine technology, boat building or marine science program. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who wish to further their education in marine studies at a four-year, two-year, technical or vocational school. Applications are available through high school guidance counselors and local harbormasters and must be received by May 4.

These scholarships are awarded annually in memory of long-time Warwick Harbormaster Robert Carr. For further information, contact Robert Holland, rholland@sccainc.org.

Grant awarded: The East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) will receive $429,000 to help low-income residents of the East Bay region obtain comprehensive primary health-care services.

The grant will enable EBCAP to increase its capacity at its two health care centers in Newport and East Providence. The centers provide comprehensive, family-based health and dental services, including family planning.

Scholarships to assist Newport County women: Women living in Newport County who need financial assistance to pursue education or job training could benefit from a Miss Swinburne Scholarship. The Miss Swinburne Fund, administered by The Rhode Island Foundation, is seeking scholarship applications until April 20.

The fund memorializes Elizabeth H. Swinburne, a civic-minded woman of the early 1900s who established a school in her Newport home to educate young women in the science and skills of household arts. After her death, the Civic League of Newport continued her mission and, in 2002, established the fund to support scholarships and charitable programs for women and girls in Newport County.

Scholarships will be awarded for direct support of course fees/ tuition and/or for assistance with support services directly linked to educational goals. Preference will be given to highly motivated women who are seeking further education or training to become self- supporting.

For detailed information and an application, visit the "Receive/ Scholarships" section of The Rhode Island Foundation Web site, www.rifoundation.org or contact Neil Severance, scholarship coordinator, 274-4564, or tnseverance@rifounation.org.

Auditions: New England Theater Training Institute (NETTI) is looking for murder-mystery actors of all experience levels. These murder mysteries are exclusive productions written and performed by NETTI Newport actors, director and writers. In addition, the institute is seeking adults for its adult ensemble, teens (age 13 to 19) for its teen ensemble and comedians, actors, storytellers, clowns and other entertainers for its Improvisation Group.

To audition, contact Tom Erb, tomerb@nettinewport.com, or call 338-4704.

Rose Island closure: The Rose Island Wildlife Refuge will be closed from April 1 to Aug. 15 for Bird Nesting Season. During this time, there will be no walking or landing boats on the beaches except at the lighthouse, which stays open year round for school and group tours, overnight "keepers" and special bird-watching tours (conducted by boat). Reservations for these programs are required.

Collection under way: Now through April 7, East Bay Roots & Shoots will collect used cell phones, PDAs, pagers, ink cartridges and rechargeable batteries for its Phone Home recycling campaign. These items will be forwarded to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a program that uses the recycling proceeds to purchase prepaid calling cards and video phones for soldiers serving overseas.

To support this program, donors can drop off their old mobile devices and ink cartridges at Webster Bank, 741 Willett Ave., Riverside, and the American Legion Post 10, 830 Willett Ave., Riverside.

For more information regarding these organizations, visit www.rootsandshoots.org and www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Courses offered: The Bristol County Adult Continuing Education Program offers a variety of courses. Openings are available in the following: Computers, Basic Photography, Safe Boating, Intro to the Internet, Intro to computer (second class), scrapbooking, chart smart, Microsoft Word, voice-overs, basic photography, Intro to digital Photo Editing, Self-publishing 101, Five Secrets to Looking Younger, and Natural Solutions for Treating Arthritis.

Certification classes are offered in managers in food safety and American Red Cross CPR and baby-sitting training. In addition, the program holds free classes for adults who want to improve their English skills or pursue their GED, the high school equivalency diploma. There are also free weekly classes for adults with special needs. Call the adult education office, 245-3392 for more information or a copy of the latest brochure.

Annual walk: The Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold its 18th annual MS Walk April 22. The walk will be held at three locations in Bristol, Cranston and Narragansett. For more information visit www.mswalkri.com or call the Rhode Island Chapter of the National MS Society, 738-8383.

Self-help group for multiple sclerosis: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Rhode Island Chapter offers the multiple sclerosis self-help groups throughout the state. In Newport, a group meets on the last Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Newport Hospital’s Community room, 11 Friendship St. For information, call 682-1128 or 846-4929.

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