Everyone associated with the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, a Bangor-based organization, is looking forward with great anticipation to the celebration of its 10th Annual HOPE Festival, reports Ilze Petersons.

This year’s Help Organize Peace Earthwide, or HOPE, Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Brewer Auditorium between Wilson and State streets.

The event, she wrote, features “lively and healing music, great food, fun activities for children, and information from more than 60 organizations” that will educate you about the efforts of those “working for peace, justice and a sustainable environment.”

Coordinated by Larry Dansinger and Elizabeth Schneider, and “thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and sponsors,” Petersons pointed out, “this special event is free and open to the public.”

After the opening ceremony, you will enjoy music by The Bangor Fiddlers.

For runners, Peter Millard has a 5K Fun Run planned for 11 a.m.

Labor songs and a singalong led by George Mann and Julius Margolin begins at 11:45 a.m., according to Petersons, and then Ethan Miller and Kate Boverman will perform “songs of hope and resistance” on the acoustic guitar.

During the day, you will be able to buy T-shirts and buttons, as well as food prepared by the Penobscot Job Corps. There will also be a display of energy-efficient automobiles.

Petersons added, “a special treat will be the opportunity to see some of Rob Shetterly’s paintings of ‘Americans Who Tell the Truth,’ and take part in Art Activism with artist Pat Wheeler.”

Katie Greenman and Anne Hayes Grillo “have pulled together another exciting program” for children, Petersons said.

Julie Monroe, known to the kiddies as “Miss Julie,” appears at 10:15 a.m. Storyteller Kevin Duplissea is featured at 11 a.m., and a Poetry Surprise follows at 12:15 p.m.

Sandy Cyrus and Be-A-Tree Yoga is at 12:30 p.m., then it’s a Jugglefest with Zachary Field at 1:30 p.m. Puppeteer Kathy Lyons, with The Reluctant Rutabaga, is featured at 2:30 p.m.

Folks from Maine Discovery Museum, Wassookeag School, Fields Pond Audubon Center and Windover Art Center are among the organizations hosting the craft and activity tables that feature an environmental theme.

And Kirsten Reberg-Horton will be there to help with “the creation of the popular ecohats.”

Just a reminder that the delightful and delicious BOOKS2EAT2004 fund-raiser for Friends of the Eastern Maine Community College Library is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today at Rangeley Hall on Sylvan Road on the EMCC campus in Bangor.

Individuals submitting an edible book are admitted free, but the admission is $7 for everyone else.

The fee includes a high silver tea and wonderful refreshments, as well as five tickets to vote for the winning edible book.

Entrants can win one of two prizes this year – either first prize for best edible book, or a prize for the best use of Maine food products in an entry.

Bangor Symphony Orchestra is holding auditions for the 2004-2005 season at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Bangor High School.

Positions are available for section players for Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello and Bass.

Additionally, substitutes are needed for all instruments.

Those musicians who are contracted are paid on a per-service basis, with mileage and housing arrangements included.

The BSO will perform six classical concerts, three youth concerts, three performances of “The Nutcracker,” and a special concert that includes a world premiere, during this season.

Information and audition requirements can be obtained by contacting Orchestra Manager Scott Burditt at (800) 639-3221, 862-2711 or sburditt@adelphia.net.

Those chosen to perform with the BSO, which was founded in 1896, will be in very select company as members of the oldest continuously operating community orchestra in the United States.

Ava Joy, secretary of the Northern Katahdin Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, reports the Chamber is sponsoring a yard sale May 14-15.

Businesses and individuals in Oakfield, Dyer Brook, Island Falls, Crystal, Patten, Sherman, Stacyville, Shin Pond and Benedicta are invited to participate.

The Chamber provides signs for each site, and provides maps that include individuals and businesses participating in the sale, directions to each site, and some merchandise being offered at the respective site.

To be included in the map, applications must be completed and returned by Friday, April 30.

Entry forms are available at various locations in each community, or can be obtained by calling the Chamber at 463-2139.

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