At a recent conference for nonprofit organizations, I met Shalom Odokara, executive director of Women in Need Inc., located in Portland.

Founded in 1995, WINI’s mission is to increase and enhance community-based services for women in transition, refugee and immigrant women, women at risk for life-threatening diseases and women endangered by domestic violence.

Odokara told me about a free symposium that is open to the public, which she hopes some of you will attend.

“Health for Me” is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

This symposium on women, obesity, health and wellness will address issues and consequences of obesity and examine health and wellness alternatives.

Patti Geil, a nutritionist specializing in diabetes who has authored 10 books on healthful eating, will deliver the keynote address.

Also featured will be Dr. Dora Mills, director of the Maine Bureau of Health; state Rep. Sean Faircloth of Bangor; Tom Downing, director of the University of Southern Maine Lifeline program; and Jackie Collins of Weight Watchers of America.

Workshops range from Obesity and Disease to Physical Exercise and Fitness. More than 50 exhibitors will participate, sharing healthful lifestyle options and information on wellness.

Sponsors include Maine Medical Center, Anthem, Maine Bureau of Health, MBNA, Martin’s Point Healthcare and USM.

Since this seminar is free and open to the public, there is no preregistration. You are invited to come, feel welcome and participate.

For more information about WINI, write P.O. Box 2519, Portland 04112, call 761-9464 or e-mail womeninneedinc@aol.

com.

Maine’s first lady Karen Baldacci, the State Prematurity honorary chairperson, will appear at the Bangor-Brewer WalkAmerica event beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 25, at Brewer Auditorium. The walk follows at about 9 a.m.

The 34th WalkAmerica raises funds for the March of Dimes. The organization works to improve the health of babies by helping to prevent birth defects. More information is available by calling (800) 525-WALK or 989-3376.

Heather Spaulding and members of the All Maine Women’s Honor Society, University of Maine mascot Bananas and other UMaine students invite you to attend the society’s second annual Kid’s Bike and Safety Fair 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 25, in the Satellite Parking lot next to Alfond Arena in Orono.

The rain location is under the UMaine football stadium.

Kids are urged to bring their bikes and helmets for decorating and fun.

The Animal Orphanage 5K Pet Run-Walk begins with registration at 9 a.m. and kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue.

Pets are welcome on a leash, and prizes will be awarded in age groups ranging from 4 to 70-plus as well as overall honors.

The registration fee for individuals is $9 and $5 for a family.

More information is available from shelter president and race director Roberta Fowler, 827-2658.

On behalf of the Bangor Band, Bob Pentland invites you to its Spring Concert, hosted by the Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society, at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at Bucksport Middle School on Miles Lane.

Admission is $3 at the door.

Established in 1859, the Bangor Band is believed to be the second-oldest continually performing community band in the United States

Elaine Fernald asks, “Are you tired of forsythia and yew, yew and forsythia?”

If so, hear what Steve Elliott of New Land Nursery and Landscaping in Ellsworth has to say about “overlooked shrubs for Down East Maine gardens” at 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, at the Hancock County Cooperative Extension Office, 66 Boggy Brook Road in Ellsworth.

For directions, call Fernald at 244-3085.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 28, to participate in the fourth annual Care to Crop 12-hour scrapbooking marathon to benefit ADAM House, a group home for teen-age girls in Eddington.

Sponsored by Care Development of Maine, the event is 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in the ballroom of University College of Bangor, 201 Texas Ave.

Preregistration is required. The full-day fee is $30 and $20 for the morning session, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., or for the afternoon session, 2-8 p.m.

Supplies, lunch and dinner will be available for purchase.

Presenters include Linda Ruel Flynn, Tammy Labul, Carla Soucie, Shelly Lizotte, Shelly Hafford, Martha Ward and Barb Seeley.

For information or to register, call Martha Ward, 944-9356, e-mail martha@thescrap

class.com; call Care Development (888) 236-2273, 945-4240, (TDD) 945-4329 or visit info@caredev.org.

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