Last modified: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:27 AM EDT North Attleboro paddler to tackle Charles River BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF If you're planning to head into Boston to watch the annual Run of the Charles next month, make sure to cheer on local paddler Edward Earle. Earle is among the early entries for the 26th annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race, which will be held Sunday, April 27. The Run of the Charles is held to benefit the Charles River Watershed Association and its efforts to protect the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River. Earle has entered the senior category for the six-mile race. If you can't make it to the polls for the town election on April 1, you can still make your voice heard. Absentee ballots for the town election are now available at the town election during regular office hours. The deadline for absentee voting is noon on Monday, March 31. Absentee ballots can also be obtained by mail by sending a written request to the elections office at 43 South Washington St., North Attleboro, MA 02760. You must include in your request your North Attleboro address, the address where you would like the ballot sent and the election for which you require an absentee ballot. Valid reasons for applying for an absentee ballot are: You will be absent from North Attleboro during the hours the polls are open, you are unable to cast your vote due to a physical disability or you are unable to cast a vote due to religious reasons. Residents with any questions can call the elections office at 508-699-0106. If you've already finished Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and are ready to talk about it, Richards Memorial Library will be hosting a book discussion on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Anyone who has read the book or seen the movie is invited to the discussion. Registration is not required. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is this year's townwide read as North Attleboro participates in the Big Read of Eastern Massachusetts. Here's a chance to sign up for a sign language course. Richards Memorial Library and the Friends of the Library are sponsoring a free six-week sign language course with instructor Lucille Vose. The program will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting April 16 and running through May 28 (with no class on May 7.) This program is for everyone in all fields of life who has a willingness to learn how to communicate and understand deaf people. There will be an introduction to signs as used by many deaf people with an emphasis on communication. In particular, this course will be useful for people who work in soup kitchens and food pantries. Participants will learn the American Manual Alphabet and basic signs. This is appropriate for high school to adults. To register, call 508-699-0122 or stop by the library. Call early because seating will be limited. AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or by e-mail at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com