With little more than a month to go before they head for Alaska and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, fourth- and fifth-grade pupils of Brooksville Elementary School are just $3,000 shy of raising the $40,000 needed for their trip.

To help reach that goal, teacher and trip leader Nada Lepper reports the young travelers are hosting a supper and variety show at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Brooksville Community Center.

Many local people, including some pupils, will be participating in the family-oriented program that also includes a silent auction.

Among the items up for bid, Lepper said, “is a limited edition wildlife print” provided by Cabela’s, which is one of the major sponsors of the Iditarod, now in its 33rd year.

Admission for the baked bean-casserole supper is $6 for adults, $3 for children and $10 for the supper and show.

During the supper, Lee Snyder of Orrington will present a slide show about Alaska.

Lepper is pleased with the progress made by the young people who began work on this project just a year ago.

Fourteen students and 14 adults will be making the trip, she said.

If you cannot attend, but want to help these children get to Alaska, call Lepper at 359-2096.

A benefit concert for tsunami victims, Hands Across the Water, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at East Orrington Congregational Church.

The concert features the Modern Day Jeremiah Praise Band and the church choir.

A love offering will be taken, with proceeds being sent to the International Red Cross Relief effort.

Refreshments and fellowship follow the concert, which is open to the public.

I’m sure Cyndi Dalton and everyone associated with Waldo County YMCA in Belfast hopes you have your tickets for the annual Cabin Fever Reliever supper and auction.

That event begins with supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in the gymnasium of the YMCA at 157 Lincolnville Ave.

The cost of the dinner is $5 for adults, $3 for children or $15 per family.

Tickets are available at the door.

Speaking of the Waldo County area, now is the time to make reservations for the Friends of Belfast Free Library annual dessert card party which is 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall on Court Street.

Your $10 admission offers you gourmet desserts and a prize for one person at each table.

Raffle tickets for two for any Belfast Maskers play and a $50 gift certificate for Darby’s Restaurant & Pub, donated by Jerry Savitz, will be sold for $1 each at the library and during the party. The drawing will take place during the event.

For reservations, call 338-1393 or 338-5630.

Due to the overwhelming community response, reports Ric Tyler of Blue Paper Communications in Bangor, Big Red Redemption Center agreed to continue accepting donations of bottles and cans for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Bottle Drive through the end of the month.

Originally, the drive was to have concluded Jan. 12.

Big Red Redemption Center is located at 12 Parker St. in Bangor, and you are asked to inform workers that your returnables are for the Tsunami Relief Fund.

Returnables can also be brought to Blue Paper Communications, Suite 100, 257 Harlow St., and Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, 519 Main St., both in Bangor, and Airline Pharmacy, 405 North Brewer Shopping Plaza in Brewer.

Ticket reservations must be made by Friday, Feb. 4, for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s second annual Chinese New Year Celebration, which is 7 p.m.-midnight Friday, Feb. 11, at the Bangor Civic Center.

Chinese decorations, live entertainment including members of Robinson Ballet performing the Rooster Dance in honor of the Year of the Rooster, the big band swing music of Edith Jones Project, door prizes, a cash bar and Thomas Morelli photographs are part of the evening’s entertainment.

BSO music director and conductor Xiao-Lu Li believes Bangor’s acceptance of different cultures “is a testimony to the quality of the people in Bangor,” according to a BSO release about the event, which is sponsored by UnitedKingfield Bank.

Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for tables of eight.

Proceeds benefit the BSO.

You can reserve tickets by calling the BSO box office at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221 or at bangorsymphony.com.

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