Tuesday Five: Critters, Nutshell, Earth Day, Dare to Prepare

Meet A Critter - Meet a live owl and hawk at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road April 17 11 a.m. to noon. Compare and contrast these two native raptors. We will explore the differences in adaptations between a diurnal and nocturnal predator, and touch preserved feathers, wings and talons. 

Member Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child. Non-Member Fee: $12/non-member adult, $6/non-member child. Registration is required for all programs unless noted. Email programs@asri.org or call (401) 949-5454 x 0. Course Number: 114333-563.  

In a Nutshell Walk - Follow the full and rich life of an oak tree from acorn to decomposition in the illustrated story "In a Nutshell" by Joseph Anthony. After the book has been read well take a short, hands-on walk on the refuge looking at trees in all stages of life at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road. The event takes place Tuesday, April 16, 11 a.m. – noon. Registration is required for all programs unless noted. Email programs@asri.org or call 401-949-5454 x 0. Course Number: 114333-561. 

Age Range: 3+. Member Fee: $5/member child. Non-Member Fee: $6/non-member child.

Earth Day Cleanup - This year’s 19th Annual Smithfield Earth Day will be sponsored by the Smithfield Conservation Commission, with the collaborative support of Smithfield Recycling Department.  

Volunteers for the town-wide Earth Day cleanups will meet at the Smithfield Conservation Center at 8:45AM on April 20, and form crews to pick up litter in designated areas around Smithfield.

The Commission will provide coffee, juice, and donuts to fortify the volunteers before the work begins. Smithfield Conservation Commission will also provide bags, first aid kits, gloves, long-handled grabbers and other necessities to make the cleanup successful. If you would like to bring a rake or other tools, please mark them ahead of time.  Children under 12 will require a parental signature. The work will involve problem sites in all areas of the town.  

Residents who would like to “nominate” a target site can email the suggestion to: sandym1210@cox.net, or call 401-595-7603, and are encouraged to participate in the cleanup work at that site if it is chosen. 

Dare to prepare -The Smithfield Police Department and AAA are teaming up for the teen driving program, Dare to Prepare, which focuses on concepts and messages that teens and parents would not receive during a standard driver’s education course.  This nationally recognized program, which functions as a supplement to driver’s education, is designed to facilitate early discussion between teens and their parents before teens receive their learner’s permit.  The program, which is offered free of charge, will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Smithfield Senior Center. The program is on a first-come, first-served basis.  To register please call Diana Dias at 401-868-2000 Ext. 2126 or go to http://www.southernnewengland.aaa.com/sne/public_affairs/dare-to-prepare.php

Charter Review - The Town ofSmithfield is seeking registered voter residents to review the operation of the Charter and propose amendments. Interested residents should submit a letter of intent and resume to Dennis Finlay, Town Manager, Smithfield Town Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917. 

Road Race Volunteers - The Smithfield YMCA is in need of volunteers for our 1st Annual 5K Road Race and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, April 27. Volunteers are needed from approximatley 7:30 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will be directing runners with flags, handing out water and making sure runners remain safe! Please contact Shauna Lewis at 401-949-2480, ext 12 if you are interested or email at shauna@ymca1.org The more volunteers we have the better the race will be!