Selectman Francis Cavaco is running for re-election to the board of selectmen. Cavaco was elected in August 2008 to fill the remainder of Carol Bragg's term, which expires in April 2010. Bragg resigned from the board in June 2008 for personal reasons.

Cavaco, who has served as chairman of the board of selectmen since last December, lists his accomplishments on his campaign web site - www.votecavaco.com.

They include providing transparency in the annual budget as it relates to all salaries, hiring a new Veterans Agent at a lower salary, and introducing the option of the secret ballot at town meetings.

A self-described fiscal conservative, Cavaco's goal is to have town government be accountable to the citizens for the fiscal and social policies they make.

"The time for Seekonk to come to grips with the economic impacts of runaway taxes and spending is long overdue," Cavaco said on his Web site. Town to honor veterans

There will be a Veterans' Day Celebration at Seekonk Human Services on Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. The featured Speaker is Gil Woodside, a Vietnam War veteran and the founder of the Seekonk War Memorial at Seekonk Common and a retired Seekonk schoolteacher. His presentation will include the contributions and importance of our veterans. There will be time at the end to ask questions or just chat. All are welcome to come out and support our veterans. Following the presentation you can enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Lunch: $2. Sign up at 508-336-8772)

Jazz it up at library

The Seekonk Public Library is presenting the performing duo Contempaissance with music from the Medieval and Renaissance periods as well as pop and jazz, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. Gary Jackson and Chris Glanville will play guitar, flute and jazz winds. Jackson is a classical guitarist and composer. Glanville plays several instruments and has been teaching music for more than 25 years. Those in attendance will also learn about the history of the musical genre. This program is free, with funding provided by the Seekonk Cultural Council. For more information, contact the Adult Services Department at 508-336-8230, ext. 130.

Also at the library ...

The Seekonk Public Library will be offering computer classes to SAILS library cardholders in November and December. A variety of classes are available to help ease the fear of computer use:

Nov. 7 - Internet I: the Basics, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Nov. 19 - Word II, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 - Internet V: Library Resources at Home, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 - Word III: Adding Images, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Registration is required. The classes are open to either Massachusetts residents with a SAILS library card or Rhode Island residents with a Seekonk Public Library card. Call 508-336-8230, ext. 130 to register.

Fundraiser to boost fuel aid

Selectmen Chairman Francis Cavaco will hold a fundraising event for Seekonk Fuel Assistant Program on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boneyard restaurant on Central Avenue. Cavaco said net proceeds from the event will go toward the fund. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased by calling 508-761-7650.

Celebrate Halloween

The Newman YMCA tonight will offer Swim with the Pumpkins from 7:30-8:45 for all ages. Share your family swim with real pumpkins (they float), take one home to decorate or paint it at the Y after swim. For more information about Halloween at the YMCA festivities at the Newman YMCA, call 508-336-7103 or visit www.YMCAgreaterprovidence.org.

The Aitken School's annual Flames of Fall, featuring about 100 illuminated pumpkins, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight. Warm refreshments will be served.

At the library ...

Library activities include:

The Fabric Book Marks sold by the Friends of The Seekonk Public Library at the Circulation Desk are a very popular item. The Friends have a volunteer who has made these for several years, but she'd like to share this project with someone else who "just likes to do crafts." Stop by the circulation desk and fill out a volunteer application.

A holiday gift sale will be held in the Seekonk Public Library's meeting room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. A percentage of sales will be donated to The Friends of Seekonk Public Library. For more information, call 508-336-8230.

The Friends of the Seekonk Public Library need books for its perpetual book sale, which takes place in the library's lobby during regular hours. Residents can shop any time the library is open. Prices are $1 for hardcover books and most videos, 50 cents for paperbacks, 25 cents for magazines and 10 cents for older magazines. Jeanne Dunne, Friends volunteer coordinator, reports a good selection of books about cooking, crafts for the holidays at a cost of $1 for hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks.

Energy program guidelines change

The income guidelines for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have been changed to allow homeowners and renters whose income is at or below 60 percent of the state's estimated median income to qualify for fuel assistance. Call 508-336-8772 to make an appointment and to obtain a list of documentation that must accompany your application. Alternately, residents can apply on a walk-in basis at Citizens for Citizens, 21 Spring St. Taunton, 508-676-7397.

Meet state rep

State Rep. Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk, will hold these office hours:

First Monday of the month - Seekonk Library 410 Newman Ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m. He will meet voters this Monday, Nov. 2.

Second Monday of the month - Rehoboth's Blanding Library 124 Bay State Road, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Help Friends of Friends assist residents

Friends of Friends is a group in town that, since its founding in 1992, helps needy seniors and young families in Seekonk with fuel, medicine and food. The group gets referrals from the Seekonk Human Services Council and local churches and provides assistance through donations. For more information to attend a monthly meeting, call Edith Krekorian at 508-336-8130 or krektv@yahoo.com or call human services at 508-336-6272.

Selectman meets residents

Selectmen Chairman Francis Cavaco will meet residents on Monday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the selectmen's meeting room at town hall. Residents may discuss any concerns or issues. You also may call him at him at 508-761-7650.

At Seekonk Human Services ...

Here's what's happening at Seekonk Human Services:

The men's breakfast will be held at the Ramada Inn in Seekonk at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 12. Bonnie Ryvicker, the community liaison for Community VNA and the hospice of Attleboro, will speak on "Improving Your Memory." All men are invited to attend regardless of age. The men meet on the second Thursday of every month and no reservations are required. The $7.25 cost of the breakfast includes coffee, tax and tip.

Seekonk Human Services is providing a trip to The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant on Thursday, Dec. 3. "Sorry! Wrong Chimney! is a lighthearted Christmas tale full of mistaken identity. Sign up at 508-336-8772. Make out checks to "Friends of Friends" for $46. The bus departs from Human Services at 10 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.

Applications for fuel assistance will be available Nov. 1 for those who have never applied. For anyone who received fuel assistance last year, your application should be in the mail. If you did not receive it, call Seekonk Human Services at 508-336-8772.

Shopping trips are being offered by GATRA for any senior citizen who resides in Seekonk. The GATRA van will be picking you up at your home, but you must call 1-800-483-2500 to schedule your pickup time.

Do you have the creative ideas, skills, and interest needed to help shape the future of Seekonk's Department of Human Services and council on aging? The Baby Boomers are coming and, with the worsening economy, families increasingly require services. If you would consider serving on the Human Services Board, call Bernadette Huck at 508-336-8772.

Seekonk Human Services hosts a monthly health clinic with two nurses from South Coast Hospital available to check your blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. Within five minutes of your test you will receive a breakdown of all of your numbers.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselors are available at Seekonk Human Services every day to help with health insurance questions or concerns. Health insurance is now mandatory in Massachusetts. Call 508-336-8772 for assistance.

Food pantry - The food pantry is available on Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. Applications are available at Seekonk Human Services; call 508-336-8772 to make an appointment. At the moment the cupboards at 320 Pleasant St. are virtually bare. Needed are non-perishable canned and dry foods such as soup, meat, fish, pasta sauce, pasta, fruit, pancake mix and cereal. Toiletries are also welcome. Drop off your donations during our regular hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Cooking classes - These will begin at the end of September. Call Karen at 508-336-8772 to sign up. Student chefs from Johnson & Wales will teach the courses.

Joseph S. Siegel covers Seekonk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at joesiegel@cox.net.