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

Garden Club

The Chatham Village Garden Club will have their Holiday Party and meeting on Dec. 1 at 7p.m. at the home of Ellie Hull. The Theme will be "Fundamentals of Healthy Holiday Plants". Everyone is invited to bring thier favorite plant and share basic care instructions with club members.

Tree Lighting in Apponaug

The Apponaug Area Improvement Association invites everyone to the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Dorothy Mayor Park. Entertainment by the Pilgrim High School Jazz Chorus and refreshments by the Toll Gate Culinary Program will be held immediately afterwards in the Warwick Museum. Many Apponaug merchants will be open during this event for special evening hours.

Circle of Love and Light

The holidays are often a difficult time for those who have lost family and friends. The annual Circle of Love & Light ceremony held by VNA of Care New England provides a meaningful way to honor loved ones who are no longer with us. The ceremony will be held on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Rd. The annual Hospice Tree Lighting will take place following the Circle of Love & Light ceremony.

Meadowlark Seniors

The Meadowlark Seniors will meet on Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Kevin's hall. A Christmas penny social will follow the meeting.

Precious Elegance Jewelry Auction

The 12th Annual Precious Elegance Jewelry Auction will be held Dec. 4, viewing at 6:30 p.m., auction at 7 p.m. Bids range from $20 on up. The event will be held at the Buttonwoods Community Center, 3027 West Shore Rd. Donation is $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit the RI Family Shelter.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Celebrate the season at the Holiday Tree Lighting at the George Donovan Memorial Park, corner of Beach Ave. and West Shore Rd. on Dec. 4 at 6:30p.m. sponsord by the Conimicut Village Association. The Living Nativity will follow from 7-8p.m., sponsored by the Woodbury Union Church, Presbyterian. There will be an appearance by a special guest. Refreshments and holiday music for everyone in the Woodubry Memorial Friendshp Room from 7-8:30p.m.

Silent/Live Auction

On Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m., Temple Am David of Warwick will host a silent/live auction featuring guest auctioneer NBC10 News Anchor Gene Valicenti. An array of items such as vacation trips, celebrity items, gift baskets, theatre tickets, sports memorabilia, framed art, sports tickets, gift certificates for restaurants and much more. Tickets, which include wine and cheese, purchased by Nov. 27 are $15. Tickets purchased after Nov. 27 or at the door are $20. Please RSVP to the Temple office at 463-7944.

Free Pancake Breakfast

There will be a Free Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 5 from 8-10a.m. at the Woodbury Union Church, 58 Beach Ave. Live Christmas music for your enjoyments.

Santa Claws Pet Photos

Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter in coordination with PetSmart on Bald Hill Rd. will be taking Pet Photos with Santa Claws on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Photo packages are $9.95 with a PetPerks card. Pet parents receive one 4x6 digital photo of their pet(s) with Santa and an exclusive holiday frame. PetSmart will donate $5 from each package to Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter to help homeless animals in the shelter. All animals must be leased, harnessed or in an appropriate carrier. For further details call Brenda Nordin at 467-2692.

Friends Sunday Bingo

The next Friends Bingo will be held on Dec. 6. Doors open at 11a.m., play Bingo until 3p.m. at the Pilgrim Senior Enrichment Center, 27 Pilgrim Parkway. Refreshments available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of Warwick Senior Centers, Inc.

Oldies Night

The William Shields Post #43 American Legion, will have an Oldies Night on Dec. 11 from 7:30-11:30p.m. Music by Rebound. Pizza, shrimpboat, cheese and pepperoni etc. Call 737-9711 for tickets.

Mentor a Child

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, please contact Pamela Leonhardt at 732-7700 x117 or visit the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership Web site at www.mentorRI.org.

Old Warwick Grange #41

The Grange is a fraternal community service, non-profit organization with a special interest in rural life and the traditions of faith, patriotism, leadership and family values. Grange-where the whole family can go and grow. Help them to help others. The meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. No meetings in July or August. The Grange hall is located at 1175 West Shore Rd.

Developmental Screening Clinics

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.

Thrift Shop

The Shawomet Baptist Church, 1642 West Shore Rd. is open on Saturdays from 9:30a.m.-12p.m. 739-7184. Large selection of like new clothing for children and adults. Some household linens are also available. Proceeds go to further the mission of the church in the community and around the world.

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 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For more information call 737-6758.

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.

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.

Bird House Rescue & Thrift Shop

Lazicki's Bird House Rescue & Thrift Shop, 1935 Warwick Ave. (behind the Giant Stride Dive shop) is a non-profit corporation serving the community as well as doing exotic bird rescue. They are in need of clean, gently used merchandise. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Gift certificates are now available. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for more information, 732-5806.

Bingo

There will be bingo every Friday at 6:45 p.m. at Meadowbrook Terrace on Warwick Ave. in the Community Hall.

Mystery Bingo

There will be a new Mystery Bingo every Wednesday at the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Co., 645 Oakland Beach Ave. Same programs, prizes vary, Doors open at 5:30p.m., games start at 6:45p.m. All are welcome.

Thrift Shop

The Thrift Shop at Shawomet Baptist Church, 1642 West Shore Rd., is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 739-7184. Large selection of like-new clothing for children and adults. Some household items are also available. Proceeds go to further the mission for the church in the community and around the world.

Gambling Counseling Offered

Kent House Inc. now offers individual, group and family counseling for problem gambling. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties as a result of gambling, call for discreet and confidential assistance, 781-2700. Deaf services are also available; call their TDD number, 467-5733.

Domestic Violence Volunteers

The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center (EBCC) is currently seeking volunteers for their Speakers Bureau. All volunteers will be trained to provide outreach, as a representative of EBCC, to communities in their service area through attendance at health and community fairs and by fulfilling requests for informational speaking engagements. Volunteers will receive thorough and specialized training under the supervision of the agency services coordinator before beginning this work. For more information, or to get involved, contact Deb Ferrante at 738-9700.

Donate Shop Thrift Store

The Donate Shop is in desperate need of sheets, blankets, puffs, towels and all other linen and house wares such as dishes, pots and pans, etc. They service over 40 agencies with free items. The need has become greater and they can't get by without your help. They give tax receipts for donations. The Donate Shop Thrift Store is open to the public on Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. For more information call 738-6663.

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.

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.

Bereavement Support Group

The You Are Not Alone bereavement support group provides an opportunity to share memories of your loved one and receive support from others who have experienced a similar loss. The group is open to anyone that has been touched by the loss of a loved one. The group will meet on Mondays for six weeks starting April 6 through May 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Coventry Senior Center. The group is facilitated by Leslie Simonson, Chaplin for the VNA of Care New England Hospice Program. RSVP to 737-6050 x1303.