Five Things: Singing, Christmas Trees & Stargazing

NO recycle pickup this week: Just trash goes to the curb this week. Because of the Christmas holiday, trash collection is delayed one day for the rest of the week.

Christmas Tree curbside collection: The town will collect your tree and recycle it, but not until the weeks of Jan. 6-10 and Jan. 13-17. Just make sure your tree is bare – no ornaments, tinsel, metal or wires – and NOT in a plastic bag. If you’ve used a bag to get your tree out of your house neatly, just make sure to pull it off. Any questions, please call the Department of Public Works at 886-8620 or 886-8621.

Sing With B Music: If you are wondering what to do this morning with your little ones, consider Sing With B Music, which has sessions at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 today. Classes are in the iDance Academy space at 640 Ten Rod Road, on North Kingstown. Cost: $13 for the first child, $4 for the second, $3 for the third. Fourth child and any siblings under 10 months are free. For more information:http://www.singwithb.com/HolidayClasses.html or call 401 364-SONG.

Holiday Lantern Tour: Learn the history of winter holiday traditions on a lantern-lit stroll through Newport's streets and hear how people did or didn't celebrate the holidays. Departs from the Brick Market: Museum & Shop, 127 Thames Street. $12 per person, $10 NHS members. Reservations strongly recommended as space is limited.

Public Stargazing at Frosty Drew Observatory: Every Friday night (weather permitting) Frosty Dew Observatory in Charlestown opens its dome and telescopes to the public free of charge. It usually opens around 6 p.m. during the months surrounding the winter solstice. If you have never seen the rings of Saturn, Jupiter's moons, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy or many of the wonders the night sky has to offer, come out and see. Frosty Drew Observatory, 62 Park Lane, Charlestown. (401) 364-9508, http://frostydrew.org.

On Saturday …

‘Blue’  Christmas service: For many, Christmas is not a “holly, jolly” time, but a season of sadness, grief, even despair. Those feelings will be recognized and raised them up to God in a “Blue Christmas” service at St. Luke’s, 99 Church St., Saturday at 4 p.m.