On Aquidneck - Calendar of Events for January - Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth, RI

Event listings are free. They are put here in the hope you will find there are many things to see and do on Aquidneck Island. The information is submitted or compiled from promotional material distributed for the events. Information is deemed reliable but you would be wise to call or check the event website for the latest information.

Don't forget to say, you found them - "OnAquidneck.com"
If you need directions to get to an event try using Mapquest for a map or go directly to driving directions here.

Family or "Open" ice skating is also available...
most Sundays at Portsmouth Abbey Rink (2pm to 4pm) 683-0621
St. George's Hockey Rink (Fridays 7p - 9p, then 9:30p to 10:30p adults only; Saturdays 9:30a - 11:30a; Sundays 4pm to 6pm) 842-6698
The rinks are sometimes unavailable for Open skating due to hockey tournaments etc. Call ahead.

Skate sharpening can be done at St. George's Ice Rink (various times, 842-6698) and Double Play Sports, 89 Aquidneck Ave. Middletown, 841-0326 also sharpens ice skates. (Double Play is also open various times, please call)

Through January 1, 2008- Newport: Christmas at the Newport Mansions
The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to make holiday memories with your family by visiting The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, all decked out for the holidays through January 1. Thousands of colorful poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens, trees and wreaths, and 19th century-style ornaments will turn the houses and their grounds into a Yuletide wonderland.
The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, all National Historic Landmarks, will be open daily for tours, except Christmas Day. A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all three houses can be purchased for $25 for adults, $9 for children 6-17. Purchased separately, admission to The Breakers is $16 for adults, $4 for children 6-17. Marble House and The Elms are each $11 for adults and $4 for children 6-17. Tickets can be purchased online at www.NewportMansions.org, or at each property.

January 1 - Newport: New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge
12pm at Easton's Beach, Memorial Blvd. Members of the polar bear club take a dip to benefit charity. See their web site

January 3 & 17 - Middletown: Learn better public speaking with Toastmasters International / Island Foghorns Toastmasters
5 - 6:00 P.M the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at the Middletown Public Library, 700 W. Main Road, Middletown. Island Foghorns, a local club of Toastmasters Int'l, provides a caring, supportive atmosphere where people learn to overcome their fear of public speaking, think quicker on their feet and develop leadership skills. It also helps you polish your current presentation skills, all for less than $100 a year. Visit the Island Foghorns' website or check out Toastmasters International . Get the Toastmasters Edge!

January 5 - February 23 - Newport: Winter Lecture Series at Newport Art Museum
       Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. at the Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave., Newport. Following the lectures, there will be a question and answer period and tea. Since 1927, the Newport Art Museum has been inviting interesting speakers to the Museum on Saturday afternoons in the winter to discuss subjects ranging from art history to politics. This winter will once again see some of the region’s foremost artists, humanists, historians, and scientists coming to visit.
       This year, speakers and topics will include: printer, photographer and Yale University Professor of Art Richard Benson on “A Survey of a Craft of Photography (with samples of the processes)”; Sarah LaFreniere, SVF Foundation Program and Livestock Manager, on “A Bridge to the Future for Heritage Breeds”; Trinity Repertory Company Artistic Director Curt Columbus on “Theater as a Democratic Space”; and Brown University Professor of Political Science Darrell West on “The Political Landscape 2008: Red or Blue,” among other speakers. For a schedule of speakers and topics, visit www.newportartmuseum.org.
    Admission to the lecture is $5 for members and $10 for general public, which includes admission to the museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Museum’s reception desk. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door an hour before the start of each lecture. Seating is limited.

Jan 5 through 27 - Newport: "Glengarry Glen Ross" at the Firehouse Theater
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00p.m. At the Firehouse Theater, "Off Broadway" 4 Equality Park Place in Newport. Fools' Day Production presents
"Glengarry Glen Ross" directed by Andrew Stigler. All tickets $20. Mention OnAquidneck.com to get $5 off (up to 6 tickets). Reservations: 401-849-FIRE (3473) www.firehousetheater.org

January 8 - Newport: Family Nights at the Save the Bay Exploration Center at Easton's Beach
       Family Nights at the Exploration Center at Easton's Beach in Newport.Come enjoy a 1-hour education program at our center! Each program: 6-7pm $3 members/$5 non-members (under 3 free).
       Jan 8 - Sealia - Come meet our life-sized harbor seal model!
       Feb 5 - Narragansett Bay Critters -Learn more about the critters found in the bay & meet our animals we have on exhibit.
       March 4 - Story Time - Hear a story about animals in the bay, meet that animal, & take home a craft to remember your visit.
       April 1 - Watershed Walk & Talk -Learn about the Narr Bay watershed & explore the watershed right outside our doors.
       May 6 - Eelgrass Man Puppet Show - Meet Eelgrass man & his friends to learn about their underwater habitat.
Registration is required. Visit the Save the Bay website (savebay.org) for more information.

January 11 - Middletown: Family Owl Prowl at the Norman Bird Sanctuary
7pm – 8:30 pm at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown. Bring the family on a walk to hear what owls are calling and then head back inside to have some hot drinks and dissect owl pellets. Registration required. Rain date Jan. 12th. $5 Members Adults, $7 Non-member Children ½ price

January 12 - Portsmouth: Common Fence Music Series
See A Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen #9, Doors and music at 6:30 pm at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Rd. For more information and reservations click here

January 13 through 21 - Newport: Coat Drive at the Sovereign Bank Skating Center
Newport Yachting Center, Newport. Bring a new or gently used coat for a free skate pass (1 per coat, limit 4 passes). www.skatenewport.com

January 14 - Jamestown: Rehearsals for Jamestown Community Chorus Spring Concerts
Jamestown Community Chorus Monday rehearsals begin Jan. 14, 7:00 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church, 99 Narragansett Ave., for its spring concert. Titled "The Jamestown Community Chorus Goes to the Movies", the concert will take place the first weekend in May and will feature a wide variety of choral music that appears in movies both new and old.
Additional singers are also sought to round out the Chorus' soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sections. All who enjoy singing are welcome. Auditions are not required and choral experience is not necessary. There is a modest membership fee and a nominal cost for music. For more information, contact B.J. Whitehouse, Music Director, at 423-1574, or visit the Chorus' website www.jamestownri.com/chorus

January 15 -31 - Portsmouth: Events for Children at the Portsmouth Free Public Library
        at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd. Parents or caregivers may sign up at the library or by calling the Children's Room at 683-9457. These programs are free and open to the public.
        Jan. 15, 2008, 10:00am: Preschool Story Time: Hats! - Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to a story time about hats followed by a craft.
        Jan. 15, 2008, 4:00 pm: After School Winter Craft - Crafty kids in grades k through 3 are invited to a special winter craft, hosted by our local girl scouts and Ms. Laura!
        Jan. 16, 2008, 10:00am: Preschool Story Time: Hats! - Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to a story time about hats followed by a craft.
        Jan. 17, 2008, 10:00am: Toddler Songs & Story Time - Children ages 18 months through 2 years are invited to a short interactive story & song time followed by a small craft.
        Jan. 22, 2008, 4:15pm: American Girl Book Club: Molly - Children in grades 2 and up who are reading on their own are invited to "Meet Molly", our next American Girl. We will discuss the first Molly book and then do a craft inspired by the 1940's.
        Jan. 23, 2008, 10:00am: Preschool Story Time: Penguins - Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to a story time about penguins and polar bears followed by a craft.
        Jan. 24, 2008, 10:00am: Toddler Songs & Story Time - Children ages 18 months through 2 years are invited to a short interactive story & song time followed by a small craft.
        Jan. 29, 2008, 10:00am: Preschool Story Time: Gingerbread Men - Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to a story time about gingerbread men followed by a craft.
        Jan. 29, 2008, 4:00pm: After School Winter Craft - Crafty kids in grades k through 3 are invited to a special winter craft, hosted by Ms. Laura!
        Jan. 30, 2008, 10:00am: Preschool Story Time - Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to a story time followed by a craft.
        Jan. 31, 2008, 10:00am: Toddler Songs & Story Time - Children ages 18 months through 2 years are invited to a short interactive story & song time followed by a small craft.

January 20 - Portsmouth:Pancake Breakfast to benefit Boy Scout Troop 1
8a.m. to noon at the Portsmouth Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Rd. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, & coffee. $6 per person, children under 5 eat free. Tickets available at the Portsmouth Senior Center during business hours. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

January 26 - Middletown: Make a Birdfeeder at the Norman Bird Sanctuary
10 -11:30 am at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown. Children will learn what birds eat in the winter. After looking at the birds at the Sanctuary's feeders we will make a bird feeder using natural and recycled items. Please bring an empty milk or orange juice carton. Registration required. Member Adults - free with child, $5 Member Children ; Nonmember Adults - free with child, $7 Nonmember Children.

January 27 - Portsmouth: Travel to China with Kenneth Scigulinsky, the featured guest speaker at the Portsmouth Free Public Library
2:00 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd. Travel to China to see some of the sights of Shanghai, an ultra modern city of 18 million people and over 4,000 skyscrapers, scheduled to host the 2010 World Trade Expo. While teaching in Shanghai last summer, Ken managed to do some sightseeing there and also visited Su Zhou, called the most beautiful city in China. Learn how teachers differ from their American counterparts. Ken’s colorful slide show is sure to be informative and fun. This program is funded by the North Family Trust, and is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so please call the Library at 683-9457 or stop by to register.

January 31 - Middletown: Mountain Lions: A special program by Bill Betty at the Norman Bird Sanctuary
7 - 8:30pm at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown. Learn more about Mountain Lions and their possible presence in Southern New England with a presentation and “show and tell” items. $5 Adult Members, $7 Non-Member

Previous year's events (below) that we haven't gotten current information to update yet.

Jan. - Middletown: Christmas Tree Pickup
          www.middletownri.com
        ** All ornaments, decorations, tinsel, etc. should be removed from trees.
        ** Trees should NOT be In plastic bags.
        ** All trees must be placed at curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.

Jan. - Portsmouth: DPW picks up Christmas trees
The Department of Public Works will pick up discarded Christmas trees on weekdays. Trees must be totally stripped of all decorations and tinsel! Leave them curbside by 7am on your collection day. Christmas trees cannot be accepted at the transfer station, but will be accepted at the Department of Public Works 143 Hedley St. 683-0362 Trees are recycled into mulch that is free and available to Portsmouth residents. Residents may pick up mulch at Melville Campground. Contact Melville Campground at 682-2424 for hours. Check the town web site for more info

January - Newport: A Winter's Evening of Chamber Music with the Newport Baroque Orchestra
7:30 pm at the Edward King House, 35 King Street. Baritone Aaron Engebreth joins members of Newport Baroque Orchestra in a winter's evening of baroque arias on period instruments. Tickets $25 preferred seating / $20 general admission. For more information and to buy tickets see the site - newportbaroque.org

Jan.20 & 27 - Portsmouth: 2007 Boy's youth lacrosse sign ups for the Spring 2007
Registration will be held at West Main Pizza, 1620 West Main Road in Portsmouth, from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon. The fee is $75 with a $10 discount for the 2nd child in the family. www.portsmouthlax.com
All Portsmouth girl youth lacrosse players must register online at the Islanders Youth Lacrosse website: www.islandlax.org. Registration will begin January 2007.

Through Jan. , 2006- Newport: Christmas at the Newport Mansions
The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will be decorated in full holiday regalia and open daily for tours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle as you tour The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, decked out in Yuletide splendor with spectacular evergreens, trees and wreaths, thousands of poinsettias and other fresh flowers, and 19th century –style ornaments. The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to make holiday memories with your family by visiting the Newport Mansions.
Each house will be open daily for tours, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission to The Breakers is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-17. Marble House and The Elms are each $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17. A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all three houses can be purchased for $25 for adults, $10 for children 6-17. Tickets available online at www.NewportMansions.org, or at each property.

Jan. - Middletown: 2004 Little League Baseball/Softball sign ups
At the Middletown Town Hall on East Main Rd. Boys and girls ages 5 - 15 can sign up for baseball/softball. Sat., Jan 31 from 10 am - 2pm; Weds., Feb 4 from 6:00 - 8:00p and Sat., Feb 7 from 10am - 2pm. Proof of age and Middletown residency are required.

Jan. - Newport: Christmas tree pickup
Discarded Christmas trees will be collected on residents' regularly scheduled collection day. Trees must be curbside and clean of any tree bags, ornaments, tinsel, etc. For more information call 849-2380

Calendar of Events for January 2008