Monday Essentials: Take Polar Plunge To Ring In 2014

Recycle Your Christmas Tree: Live Christmas trees can be recycled at the Transfer Station (345 Devils Foot Road) free of charge through Jan. 25. Trees must be free of all decorations and removed from bag used to transport prior to disposal. After January 25, regular disposal rates will apply.

On Tuesday …

New Year’s Eve: Time to bid farewell to 2013 (whether sorry to see it go, or good riddance!), and raise a glass to 2014. I still like to bang pots and pans at midnight, just as I did growing up. What traditions do you have? Leave a comment.

On Wednesday …

Happy New Year!

Polar Plunge: NK’s annual Polar Plunge takes place at the Town Beach at 1:30 p.m., followed by a mass Zumba class across the parking lot in the Community Center at 2. Participants are asked to donate to the West Bay Family Y’s Annual Support Fund and bring canned goods for the North Kingstown Food Pantry. If you have questions, contact the WBF Welcome Center at 401-295-6501.

Special Olympics Pengiun Plunge: Another worthy plunge takes place at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, benefiting Special Olympics. You'll be “freezin' for a reason” in support of over 2,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state, or just come to support the plungers. Join dedicated "excelsiors" Greg Francis (East Greenwich), Chris Keene (Smithfield), and Lauren Mahoney-Pick (West Warwick) as they lead the charge into the water, sporting traditional red bow ties. The plunge happens at noon, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. For more information contact Lauren or Tracy at the SORI Office at 401-349-4900, or visit the plunge site.

On Thursday …

Back to school: School resumes for NK public school students today. But look on the bright side – only two days until the weekend!

East Bay Contra Dance: The first dance of 2014 – new callers, new bands and a new time. Caller: Elwood Donnelly of the Atwater~Donnelly Duo. Band: First Time String Band with Sally Rogers, Howie Bursen, Deck Nieforth and special guest fiddler Dan Lanier. Time: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. All dances are taught and easy to learn. You can come with friends or single. $8.

On Friday …

Reading for the New Year: Join Fiction Coordinator Maggie Brewer and other readers to discuss what you have on your agenda to read for 2014 and share what you think someone else should add to their must-read list. Coffee and snacks included. Please register. 10 a.m.