A little laughter, a little dining, a little dancing, and lots of fun go hand in hand with helping individuals become strong, solid leaders for our community and region.

Leadership Laugh-in 2004 is from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

The evening features comedy, dancing, and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres for $25 per person.

Proceeds will help provide scholarships for participants in the Bangor Region Leadership Institute.

Sponsored by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, BRLI, according to its brochure, “is an intensive, regionally-oriented leadership development program designed to give potential and emerging leaders the skills, knowledge, and on-going support they need to succeed in the greater Bangor community.”

The fund-raiser will feature comedians George Hamm and Travis Wallace.

Hamm has appeared on Fox TV, UPN and Sci-Fi Network and performed at the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles among other appearances, including movies.

Wallace, a Maine native, is a stand-up comic who employs sketch comedy with storytelling to entertain his audiences.

Local comedian-magician (and BRLI alumnus) Bob Brown is master of ceremonies.

Tickets are available at the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, 519 Main St., or by calling Emily Bartlett at 947-0307.

This is a rather last-minute notice so, if you can’t make it, save it for future reference.

The new Spinal Cord Injury Group is conducting its first meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. today in Suite 2 at Alpha One, 1048 Union St. in Bangor.

The group’s mission is to help provide information, compassion, support and a shared bond of understanding for those with SCI.

Any individual with spinal-cord injury, as well as spouses, parents and children, are invited to attend.

For more information, call Wes Smith at Alpha One, (800) 300-6016 V/TTY, Gaelen Saucier, 942-6720, or e-mail peer@alphaonenow.com.

Author Lyn Mikel Brown, professor of education and human development at Colby College in Waterville, is the featured guest at the next University of Maine Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program Spring 2004 Lunch Series.

Brown will discuss and sign copies of her book “Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection Among Girls” from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the Bangor Lounge of the Memorial Union on the Orono campus.

The facility is handicapped accessible.

On behalf of Penobscot County Area Triad, Chairman Nelson Durgin invites you to attend an “Identity Theft Forum” at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

The event, sponsored by Penobscot County Area TRIAD and the U.S. Postal Service, begins with a continental breakfast, and there is no charge for the breakfast or the meeting.

The program is part of operation “Identity Crisis,” a nationwide effort to educate the public about identity theft, how to prevent it and what to do if you discover that your identity has been stolen.

Since identity theft can affect anyone, regardless of age, seniors and-or family members of seniors are encouraged to attend.

If you plan to attend this meeting, you are asked to call 941-2865 or e-mail jsmitheaa@yahoo.com.

If you prefer, you do not need to give your name.

Dr. Michael and Diane DeVita of Hampden recently have formed the nonprofit Source of Life Healing Rooms of Greater Bangor, and are offering the first training for “people who are interest in operating in Christian healing rooms,” Diane DeVita reported.

The first session of the six-week course is 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at 318 N. Main St. in Brewer.

The couple, who received their training through the International Association of Healing Rooms in Spokane, Wash., is seeking a permanent facility in Bangor, she said.

The cost of the training is $20 per class, including materials.

The program, she explained, “is for people who believe in the supernatural power of God to heal the sick,” and is part of a movement that now has 195 healing rooms throughout the country.

For more information, call the DeVitas at 862-3282 or 949-3292.

Congratulations to campaign chairman John Simpson and everyone who made it possible for the 2004 United Way of Eastern Maine Campaign to surpass its goal and raise $2.5 million that will benefit programs at 69 partner agencies in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.