Staff and volunteers of the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine are gearing up for what should prove to be a most exciting 7th Annual HOPE Festival (Help Organize Peace Earthwide) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Brewer Auditorium.

Peace & Justice Center program coordinator Ilze Petersons writes that, “as always, the festival is held in conjunction with Earth Day, which is Sunday, April 22.”

The HOPE Festival “is a wonderful way to reaffirm our connections to the Earth and to each other, share information about the caring work being done in our community, and enjoy great music and healthy organic food,” she added.

The event has always drawn great crowds and one of the favorite attractions is the children’s entertainment.

People also enjoy the essay and art displays, the terrific live entertainment and music, and participating in the 5K Fun Run.

Volunteers are what make it all happen, and HOPE Festival organizers are grateful for the efforts of those who offer their services to make the event such a success.

Coordinating the festival is Larry Dansinger of Monroe.

Peter Mellard of Orono is in charge of the Fun Run, and Katie Greenman of Orono and Ann Hayes-Grillo of Bangor are overseeing the children’s activities.

Joanne Dauphinee of Brewer and Doug Crate of Pittsfield are in charge of activities on the stage; Elizabeth Schneider of Orono oversaw obtaining sponsorships and advertising; and Claudia Tucci of Old Town is making sure that all the food at the festival will be organic.

HOPE Festival attendees can learn about peace, justice and environmental resources from 60 nonprofit groups at the event’s Organizational Fair.

Petersons is particularly enthused about the programs being offered for children this year.

“We will have Stories for the Family with balloon storyteller Kevin Duplissie of Brewer,” she said, “and Fun of Yoga with Brenda Fielding of Orono.”

Andy Burt of Gorham, the new coordinator of the Maine Interfaith Climate Change Initiative, which is a project of the Maine Council of Churches’ Earth Stewardship Project, will present an interactive, intergenerational skit titled “What’s Up, Earth Doc?”

Children’s International Summer Villages leader Marc Edwards of Bangor will be in charge of children’s games.

Leah Wolfsong of Buckfield will perform Earth-based spirited rhythm and vocals, Petersons said, and the group Haystack Sally will perform.

Haystack Sally is a new bluegrass band featuring young Maine musicians, Petersons explained.

The Klezmer band Tzena! Tzena! will perform “Jewish soul music,” Petersons said, and Women with Wings will participate in Circle Singing.

Those who attend the HOPE Festival also will be able to see the University of Maine Solar Car Team’s vehicle, and Hope Brogunier of Bangor will be there with her hybrid solar and electric car.

For more information about the HOPE Festival, call the Peace & Justice Center in Bangor at 942-9343 or visit its Web site, peacectr@mint.net.

To register for the Fun Run, call Mellard at 866-3503.

Individuals age 50 and older are eligible to take the Eastern Agency on Aging AARP 55 Alive Safe Driving program, which will be conducted from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 24, and Wednesday, April 25, at the EAA offices, 450 Essex St. in Bangor.

The course will address physical changes that can affect driving ability as a person ages.

You will also discuss the driving manual to update your knowledge of driving regulations, the challenges you face when driving, and how others cope with those challenges.

No driving or written test will be given, and those who complete the course receive a two-year certificate that may enable you to receive a discount from your insurance company.

The cost of the eight-hour course is $10.

The class is limited to 25 participants, so you should register as soon as possible by calling Sylvia Smith at EAA, 941-2865 or (800) 432-7812.

“Uniting Spirit and Sciences” is the theme of the American Cancer Society’s 23rd Annual Living With Cancer Conference from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the Augusta Civic Center.

“Buzz” Fitzgerald, former president and chief executive officer of Bath Iron Works, and a cancer survivor, will deliver the keynote address.

Fitzgerald will discuss the resilience, courage and hopes of those living with cancer as well as its causes, cures and the choices available to cancer patients today.

The conference features 21 workshops ranging from updates on the latest treatment options to exploring meditation and the hospice option philosophy.

There is no fee for cancer survivors and their family members to attend the conference, but lunch may be ordered for $10 per person.

The $30 fee for all others attending the conference includes lunch.

To register, or receive more information about the Living With Cancer Conference, call the ACS at (800) 464-3102.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; ”

990-8288.