Bangor

Retail businesses and success downtown

Bangor Center Corp. will present “Retail Businesses CAN Succeed Downtown” 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, a panel discussion free and open to the public at 25-27 Broad St., in the Bangor Museum and Center for History.

Moderator will be Parke Clemons, board president, Bangor Center Corp.

Discussion topics and panelists are:

. “Creating a Strong Business Image,” Jan Kaufman, J Group Advertising and Linda Packard, Packard Judd Kaye Strategic Marketing Group.

. “Do You Know Who’s Logging-on to Your Wireless Business Network?,” Kelly Cotiaux, Sephone Internet Solutions.

. “10 Mistakes for Businesses to Avoid,” Sally Bates, city of Bangor.

. “If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Here’s What I’d do Differently,” Brad Ryder, owner of Epic Sports and Sonya Eldridge, owner of Bagel Central.

. “Shopping Turn-ons and Turn-offs,” Kristen Andresen, “Shop Girl” columnist, Bangor Daily News.

A question and answer session will be part of the discussion. Light refreshments will be provided. Reservations are not required.

Lead awareness class

Penquis Community Action Program will hold a free Lead-Based Paint Homeowners Awareness class 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 20, at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St. Pizza will be served at 5:30 p.m. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. Call 973-3553 or (800) 215-4942.

Elevated lead levels can do permanent damage to children, causing developmental delays, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, lowered intelligence and decreased growth. At toxic levels, it can cause stunted growth, mental retardation, severe brain damage, coma and even death. Lead can be ingested or inhaled, with poisoning occurring most often from renovations of older homes or deterioration of lead paint. Children under age of 6 years are most vulnerable to lead poisoning.

The class will provide information for homeowners, tenants and landlords who intend to do painting, repairs or renovation in their homes where lead paint could be present. The class also will be helpful if individuals or families intend to live in a home where lead-based paint is present, particularly if they have young children or a pregnant woman resides in the house. Topics include precautions to take before beginning renovations, sanding techniques and lead dust cleanup. Penquis CAP will have High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuums available to lease to families with lead paint hazards. This class is a prerequisite to borrowing the vacuums.

This is not a professional contractor class. Contractors should call Rob Seavey, 973-3552, at Penquis CAP or Bill Jenkins, 624-5720, at Maine State Housing Authority for information about classes.

The class is supported by a grant from the Penobscot Valley Health Association Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. For more information or to register call Penquis CAP at 973-3553 or (800) 215-4942.

Artisans’ Market vendors

The Bangor Center Corporation invites vendors to submit applications for an outdoor Artisans’ Market in downtown Bangor for six consecutive Thursdays beginning June 15. Artisans may sell their fine art or crafts, or specialty foods they have prepared or raised, such as popcorn, baked goods, canned or preserved goods, or fresh produce. Guidelines are available at www.downtownbangor.com, or call 992-4234.

Community trail system

The Bangor Land Trust and Keep Bangor Beautiful will present speaker Alix Hopkins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Bangor Public Library. The topic will be “Building a Community Trail System.”

Hopkins is one of the founders of Portland’s citywide trail system and the author of “Groundswell: Stories of Saving Places, Finding Community.”

The sponsoring organizations believe that Bangor has the beginnings of and potential for a system of trails for walking, biking and recreation. They are seeking community input and Hopkins’ presentation will be followed by discussion and an opportunity to contribute ideas. For more information, call Lyndsey at 942-6389, Ext. 3219; or Lucy, 945-3675.

Art exhibition

Artists are invited to submit work for the “In Celebration of Women” art exhibition to be held in conjunction with the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center grand reopening in June.

The work must be on 20-inch-by-20-inch gallery depth canvas, unframed with painted edges, in any medium, and submitted no later than Monday, May 1. All work juried into the exhibition will hang at the health center during June and July. To submit work for consideration, send images to Sue Bernier, 5 Bernier Lane, Verona Island ME 04416. For more information, e-mail sue@bhcgroup.com, or call 469-2922.

Program booklet ads

The Bangor Professional Firefighters, with the assistance of ECMG, is conducting a local fundraising event. The organization invites local businesses to show their support by sponsoring an ad in the 2006 program booklet to be handed out at the annual baseball game, Red Sox alumni vs. Bangor Firefighter All-Stars, at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Mansfield Stadium.

Those who sponsor ads will receive complimentary tickets to the game.

Brewer

Ten Bucks Theatre

What do you get when you mix three bedrooms, four couples, pilchards and a party? You get “Bedroom Farce” by Alan Ayckbourn, which the Ten Bucks Theatre Company will open at the Brewer Middle School Auditorium, 5 Somerset St. The play runs 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 24, 25, 31 and April 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26 and April 2.

When Trevor and Susannah decide to air their personal problems at Malcolm and Kate’s housewarming party, chaos ensues as they split up and wreak havoc on two other couples while seeking advice about how – and if – they can make their marriage work. Ayckbourn offers a voyeuristic peek into the bedrooms of three couples and all of the unlikely activities (no, not s-e-x) that occur in, on and around the beds there.

The cast includes Simon Ferland, John Greenman, Jenny Hart, Kat Johnson, David Alan Morrison, Hillary Roberts, Carol Varney and Dominick Varney.

Elaine DiFalco Daugherty will direct the play.

Admission is $10, $5 students. Call 884-1030 for information and ticket requests, or visit www.tenbuckstheatre.com.

Walking Trail

There soon will be a meandering, walking trail through a 10.5-acre park that residents actually will create.

“I’m going to be working with the neighbors” on building the trail, Ken Hanscom, director of the Brewer Parks and Recreation Department, said Tuesday.

The park was created a year ago and located on city-owned land abutting Little John Lane, Rotherdale and Canterbury roads. Hanscom presented a draft for the trail at the February planning board meeting, but after hearing concerns raised by area residents, he modified those plans and represented a scaled-down version of the trail.

Planned parking was removed from the original plans, and the walking trail was moved to at least 100 feet away from abutting properties to satisfy the residents. Hanscom said the 5- to 6-foot-wide trail wouldn’t be accessible to people with disabilities or have lighting or benches, and motorized vehicles would be banned.

A sign will mark the park and trailhead, and another small access point is planned for Rotherdale Road.

There is a small utility easement off Canterbury Road that possibly could be used for a third access point, but a little research needs to be done to see if it’s possible, Hanscom said.

Child ID program

CHIPS, a child identification program, will be offered 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Washington Street School. The event is sponsored by the Freemasons of Maine and the Capri Street and Washington Street schools. CHIPS is provided free of charge and all identifying items, including a video, fingerprints and dental impression with the child’s DNA generated, are given to the child’s family. Written parental permission is required.

Carmel

Basket bingo

The Carmel Firemen’s Auxiliary will host a basket bingo at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Carmel Elementary School.

Admission is $10 for 15-12 card game. There also will be two blackouts for $5 each. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

For tickets, call Donna Stanhope, 848-3969, or Rhonda Crowley at 848-3541. E-mail Stanhope at msdonnas14@aol.com.

Proceeds will be applied to a matching grant to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the department’s lead engine.

Eddington

Compost bins

In an effort to encourage composting of grass, leaves and table scraps, the town of Eddington is participating in a program that offers to residents a compost bin for $36.50 and a kitchen scraps pail for $10.50. Bins will be ordered March 27 and should be delivered to the Town Office May 1. To order a bin or pail, or to obtain more information, call the Town Office at 843-5233.

Hampden

MDA yard sale

Contributions are being accepted for Hampden Public Safety’s annual MDA Yard Sale in April.

Clean items in good working order are requested, but no clothing. Items may be dropped off at the Hampden Public Safety Building, 106 Western Ave.

For more information, call Lt. Frank Coombs or Kandy McCullough at 862-4000 or 862-4586, or e-mail hampdenpolice@hotmail.com.

Benefit comedy show

The Maine Hysterical Society, sponsored by the Hampden Academy Key Club, will present a benefit show at 7 p.m. Friday, March 24, in the school gym. Admission is $10 adults, $8 students. Proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine, a retreat for critically ill children and their families on Sebago Lake.

Coffeehouse show

A coffeehouse variety show for all talents and all ages will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, on the Hampden Academy stage. The suggested donation is $4, $2 students, $10 family. Proceeds benefit Hampden Academy’s jazz ensemble and Voices Unlimited show choir. The two groups will compete in Musicfest Orlando and perform at Walt Disney World in April.

Milford

Pajamas and stories

A pajama story hour will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Viola Rand Elementary School. Bring the children dressed for bed and enjoy an evening of stories and fun around a campfire.

A special guest will be a Berenstain Bear dressed as a ranger.

Stan Richmond of Birdsacre in Ellsworth will be on hand, accompanied by four owls. He will give a presentation about owls.

Juice and snacks will be served to children. Parents will have an opportunity from 7:30-8 p.m. to shop at the school’s annual Scholastic Book Fair.

Old Town

New playground

Construction of a new playground is expected to begin this spring at the Old Town-Orono YMCA after the organization received more than $15,000 from Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The existing playground behind the YMCA near the ball fields has deteriorated because of exposure to the elements over the years.

The equipment no longer is safe, and the playground doesn’t meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.

The YMCA serves more than 250 area children each week, and the daycare has seen a nearly 50 percent increase in the last couple of years in the number of children it provides care for.

The YMCA’s grant request was endorsed by local McDonald’s restaurant owners Doug and Linda Quagliaroli.

The overall goal of the YMCA is to raise $39,000, which would fully fund a new playground, but the $15,359 grant is enough to get things started.

A check was presented to the YMCA at the Husson College Newman Gymnasium in Bangor during half-time of the Maine McDonald’s All-Star Basketball Game.

The money will go toward climbing equipment, slides, a swing set, a bounce pad and a chin-up bar that will be purchased from and installed by GameTime.

There also is some groundwork that will need to be done before the pieces can be installed.

Orono

Land trust meeting

There has been a change to the location of the Orono Land Trust’s annual meeting. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the Church of Universal Fellowship at 82 Main St.

The meeting will celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary. Speaker Sally Jacobs will present “Then and Now: A Story of OLT Land.” Board members will be nominated. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call OLT President Gail White at 866-0041.

Penobscot County

Wildlife tree and shrub sale

Maine’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts are an extraordinary resource for Maine communities. The Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District focuses attention on conserving land, water and related resources. The district takes action, develops programs to solve natural resource problems, enlists and coordinates help from public and private sources to accomplishing the district’s mission, ands educates the public in the preservation of natural resources.

The budget for the operation of the Penobscot Conservation District is established locally based on local priorities. For the past 50 years, the district has helped raised money for the operation of the district office and for special needs and projects by selling trees and shrubs for springtime plantings.

Trees and shrubs help hold soil and avoid erosion, so the sales effort is consistent with district’s fundamental goals.

The Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for Wildlife Tree and Shrub Sale. It is offering a wide variety of shade trees, evergreen trees, ground covers, hedges and shrubs. Fruit trees and shrubs including apple, crabapple, cherry, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries also are available.

All orders must be received by March 22. For information on the sale or district programs, call 990-3676 or visit www.penobscotswcd.org.