Bangor

Youth with disabilities

“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” It’s a phrase that is heard often in homes during the summer months. That’s even more true for parents of youths with disabilities, who, according to David Jones, associate professor in the Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies at the University of Southern Maine, can be “denied from a lot of places,” including participation in community recreation programs.

Jones will be the keynote speaker at the last in a series of forums addressing issues on the transition from high school to the adult world for youths with disabilities.

The Recreation & Leisure Activities for Youth with Disabilities forum will be held twice on Wednesday, May 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the conference room at Alpha One, 1048 Union St., Bangor.

Cindy Tuck, coordinator for Region Three’s Maine Transition Network, said Jones will be joined by Ken Hanscom, director of Brewer Parks & Recreation; David Berry, a regional representative of Maine’s Special Olympics; Wes Smith, a 2006 para-Olympian and independent living specialist; and Faye McDermott, owner-operator of the CLAE School of the Arts.

Participants are asked to register for either session by calling 992-2270 or e-mailing Schooltolife@midmaine.com.

National Day of Prayer

Last year, more than 2 million people in the United States attended more than 40,000 events such as the one at Bass Park in Bangor to mark the National Day of Prayer.

This year’s National Day of Prayer will be observed Thursday, May 4. To find an event in Maine, call Meredith Clements at 223-2259, or visit www.nationaldayofprayer,org.

According to the Web site, local prayer activities will include a prayer walk to Paul Bunyan Park on Main Street, and a celebration in prayer at the gazebo.

Activities also are scheduled for Bradford, Brewer, Clifton, Etna, Frankfort, Glenburn, Hampden, Newburgh, Old Town, Orrington and Winterport.

Accessibility seminar

Occupational therapy students at Husson College, VSA Arts of Maine and Alpha One will host a seminar, “Solutions for Accessibility,” 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Center for Family Business on the Husson College campus. Admission is free. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

The interactive session will provide hands-on experiences to help attendees become acquainted with world of possibilities for those with disabilities. Topics at the seminar include:

. Disability Etiquette – how to train staff to communicate with those with disabilities.

. Accessibility – the law and developing a plan of action.

. Low-cost Adaptations – improving access on a small budget.

. Visual and Hearing Barriers – considering visual and hearing accommodations for marketing, communication and printed materials.

. Physical Barriers – Solving the problems of physical access.

A certificate of attendance and continuing education units are available on request. For more information, or to request accommodation to attend the workshop, call Dr. Kathleen Flecky, 941-7045.

Old Town

Open house at YMCA

The tent has been ordered and the bounce house reserved in readiness for the Old Town-Orono YMCA’s open house Friday and Saturday, May 12-13. The schedule is:

. 4-8 p.m. Friday, entertainment, food, old cars and boats.

. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, activities all day.

. 4-7 p.m. cruise-in in parking lot.

. 8-midnight, Saturday, DJ dance for adults only. Must be 21 or older. Donation $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Reservations, Brian Folster, 827-9622, or e-mail bfolsterotoy@adelphia.net.