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Walk for March of Dimes

BREWER – Every year the March of Dimes holds a walk event known as WalkAmerica to raise money to help fund its mission of preventing premature births, birth defects and infant mortality. The walk is the Bangor region’s opportunity to participate in the cause.

This year’s Bangor region walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Brewer Auditorium on State Street. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and walking starts at 9 a.m.

Everyone who participates in WalkAmerica should be proud of what they accomplish. Seventy-five percent of the money raised goes to irregular birth prevention programs.

The March of Dimes is able to implement parent education programs to help recognize the signs of preterm labor, medical research and help get funding on the state and federal level to provide health care for uninsured children.

WalkAmerica is right around the corner. Those who wish to participate with a group of friends and walk as a team may call the March of Dimes at 989-3376.

Participants may also register at the walk.

Dance for Camp CaPella

BREWER – Musicians from across Maine will join forces to aid United Cerebral Palsy’s CampCaPella Campaign. United Artists For Hope will present a multiband benefit dance 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Jeff’s Catering Banquet and Convention Center.

The evening will feature country music, classic rock and rhythm and blues performed by bands Midnight Rose, Unstable, Wolf Creek, Woody Sands and Rebecca Albright, and other bands to be announced.

Admission is $8 a person or $12 a couple. A cash bar will be available and guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Event coordinator Candy Gray, a former camp counselor, knows firsthand the positive impact Camp CaPella has on the many children who attend. Her experiences at Camp CaPella are the driving force for raising money to save the program.

United Artists For Hope is an organized group of musicians who donate their time and talent to help charity.

Jeff’s Catering donated the use of its facility for the event. Other sponsors include Clifton Country Store in Clifton, Toziers II in Bucksport and Cap’s Tavern in Brewer.

For more information about United Cerebral Palsy of Maine and Camp CaPella, visit www.ucpofmaine.org.

ALS support group

The ALS support group, for those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, will meet 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at OHI, 25 Freedom Parkway, Hermon.

The program will be given by Colleen Adams, co-director of the Technical Exploration Center, a project of Husson College and United Cerebral Palsy. The Tech Center is a technology lending library offering everything from wheelchairs and communication devices to adaptive equipment, assisting with daily living for people with disabilities and others.

There also will be updates on several changes in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association Northern New England Chapter for PALS, caregivers and friends.

Keeping our minds sharp

OLD TOWN – A talk on “Keeping Our Minds Sharp as We Age” will be presented by Kristie Miner, with the Maine Alzheimer’s Association, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 18, at Old Town United Baptist Church, 86 Middle St. The program is free and all are welcome to attend.

Licensed massage therapy

BANGOR – Tamela Glenn, licensed massage therapist, has moved her practice, Snow Lotus Thai Yoga Massage, to the River City Therapy and Wellness Center at 268 State St.

Glenn is nationally certified, licensed in Maine and currently the only certified Lotus Palm School Thai Yoga practitioner in the state.

An open house and free Thai yoga massage demonstration will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Pilates studio at the center.

For more information, call 990-0188, ext. 95 or send e-mail to SnowLotusTYM@aolcom.

GEAR Parent Network

BANGOR – The GEAR Parent Network, which provides support to parents of children with emotional and behavioral needs, will meet at 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, and 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month, at the Wings office, 900 Hammond St. For information, call Helen, 564-3361 or (800) 264-9224.

Presentations on health care

BANGOR – Dr. John Clarke, an orthopedic surgeon from Parkview Adventist Hospital in Brunswick will offer three PowerPoint presentations on health care topics at Little Lads Restaurant downtown.

The schedule is:

. Osteoporosis, 6 p.m. Feb. 19.

. Joint Health and Arthritis, 7 p.m. Feb. 20.

. Diabetes, 6 p.m. Feb. 21.

The presentations are free, and all are welcome to attend. In addition to traditional orthopedics, Clark emphasizes lifestyle medicine focusing on nutrition and exercise in relation to joint and bone health.

For information, call 432-9063 or 625-3866.

Health care options

BANGOR – The Penobscot County Transition Team will offer a free workshop to help Maine residents learn what is available for affordable health service.

The event will take place 1-3 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Bangor Career Center, 45 Oak St. It is open to the general public and free of charge. Attendees will learn about MaineCare, Dirigo Choice and other services. There will be an opportunity to ask detailed questions pertaining to individual situations.

Representatives from the Penquis Community Action Program, Consumers for Affordable Health Care, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Penobscot Community Health Center will be on had to meet with those who attend the workshop. To register for the workshop, call the Bangor Career Center at 561-4050.