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Alton

Rabies Vaccination Clinic

The town of Alton, in conjunction with Timberland Animal Hospital, will hold a rabies vaccination clinic 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Municipal Building, 3352 Bennoch Road. The clinic is for residents of Alton and Argyle Township. The cost is $10 per vaccination.

Animals to be vaccinated must be at least 6 months old, and be either on a leash or in a carrier.

The Alton Town Clerk will be on-site to provide 2007 licenses for those residents who haven’t yet procured them. Clinic proceeds will benefit the Animal Orphanage in Old Town.

Bangor

Educational opportunities for adults

Maine Educational Opportunity Center is a federally funded program that helps qualified adults make the transition toward a college education. The program, which is housed at the University of Maine, provides assistance for qualified adults living in Maine and helps them go to the college or university of their choice.

MEOC services are free.

. GED/SAT preparation.

. Career counseling.

. College planning.

. Financial aid counseling.

. Referrals/advocacy.

. College admissions process.

MEOC successfully placed 644 adults across the state in different colleges, and helped 150 adults receive their adult diploma or GED last year.

The starting point for all MEOC participants is the “Essentials of College Planning,” a free interactive workshop that outlines the four steps in the college process: admissions, financial aid, career planning and study skills. Preregistration is required.

For more information or registration, call (800) 281-3703.

“Essentials of College Planning Workshops”

. 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Jan. 22, Katahdin Hall, Eastern Maine Community College, 354 Hogan Road.

. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, Bangor Adult Learning Center, 121 York St.

. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, Bangor Career Center, 45 Oak St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 25, Bangor Hall, University College Bangor, 1 University Drive.

. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, Bangor Housing Authority, 161 Davis Road.

. 9:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Jan. 31, Bangor Career Center, 45 Oak St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 1, Bangor Hall, University College Bangor, 1 University Drive.

Penobscot Theatre Company

Penobscot Theatre Company announced recently that it has received three significant grants to continue its mission and support new projects during the 2006-2007 season:

. A $3,000 grant from the Maine Theater Fund.

. A $3,500 grant from the Maine Equity Fund.

. A $5,000 grant from the H. King and Jean Cummings Charitable Fund of the Maine Community Foundation.

The $3,000 Maine Theater Fund grant will support the Penobscot Theatre Company’s first annual Northern Writes new play festival showcasing readings and workshop productions of new theatrical work in development. The two weeks of 10-minute plays – one-acts, full-lengths and a 24-hour play festival – will run May 9-25.

The Maine Equity Fund grant will support the presentation of “I Am My Own Wife.” The 2004 Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning drama will star Gabriel Sigal, who will play more than 40 roles in the true story of Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf, a real-life German transvestite who survived the Nazi onslaught and the repressive East German communist regime. The grant also will allow Penobscot Theatre to tour “I Am My Own Wife” to other venues in Maine after its March 14-25 run at the Bangor Opera House.

The $5,000 H. King and Jean Cummings Charitable Fund grant will support the theater’s in-school storytelling workshops and residencies based on its main stage season.

“The continued support of the Maine Community Foundation allows our work to be ever more professional and of the highest quality possible,” said Scott RC Levy, producing artistic director of Penobscot Theatre. “We look forward to reaching as many people as possible through the projects these grants will support.”

From Geezer to Geek

University College of Bangor students in the computer information systems program will offer a series of four computer literacy workshops, From Geezer to Geek, free, to senior citizens 1-3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, at the Computer Center, 201 Texas Ave. Topics are Windows, word processing, Internet and e-mail. The classes are free. Reserve space by calling 262-7743.

Brewer

Project Graduation show

The Maine Hysterical Society is a trio of “the finest kind” – three of Maine’s entertaining variety artists, actors, musicians and Downeast humorists.

Randy Judkins, Barney Martin and Steve Underwood will present a comedy variety show of original songs and parodies, hilarious Maine characters, “wicked good” juggling, and sketches at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. The event is sponsored by the Brewer High School Project Graduation. Tickets are available at Brewer High School, Jeff’s Catering and at the door. They are $12 for adults, $10 for high school and younger. Call 825-8803 for more information.

The audience will be treated to the wild antics of “Mainiacs” Sunny Day, Emmitt Pickitt and Russell Spurwink, three of the Maine Hysterical Society’s most eccentric characters as they sing about some of the best-kept secrets of Maine in three-part harmony.

Join the wacky trio as they weave melodic tunes on what it’s like living way up north in Caribou, delving into the minds of three curious clams, coping with black fly season, launching a singing telegram business or revealing a wish-list of items Mainers shouldn’t live without.

Hampden

‘Faithbooking’ workshop

The public is invited to attend a scrapbooking workshop 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Hampden Congregational Church, 101 Main Road North.

The workshop is “Faithbooking: Finding God’s Presence in Your Photo Memories.”

The workshop will help participants begin to create scrapbooks or “faithbooks” about their spiritual journeys. The snowdate is Feb. 3.

Led by Kathy Walker, the workshop will include devotions, time to work on personal albums and a sharing of ideas and materials.

Lisa Gardner, Creative Memories consultant, will be available for assistance. Creative Memories products may be purchased at the workshop. Other scrapbooking products may also be used.

Participants should bring their own spiritual journey photos and memorabilia, such as certificates and favorite quotations; scrapbooking supplies and tools.

Registration is limited to 25. Preregister by Jan. 21 by e-mailing Lisa Gardner at lisadoug91@verizon.net or calling her at 989-2165. A registration fee of $5 is payable at the door and includes the cost of handouts, snacks and beverages. Participants should bring a bag lunch; refrigeration is available.

Old Town

Father-daughter dance

The Old Town Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor its 19th annual Father-Daughter Valentine Dance 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall, Gilman Falls Avenue. Tickets went on sale Jan. 10 for Old Town residents only. Tickets for nonresidents will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 24. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The hall will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to have pictures taken. The event will include dancing, snacks and door prizes. The cost is $15 per couple for residents, $25 per couple for others. An additional charge of $5 per extra daughter also will be charged.

Preregistration is required and tickets must be purchased by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. For more information, call the rec department at 827-3961.

Orland

Wildlands inventory

What’s in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands?

Ecologists Dr. Alison C. Dibble and Catherine Rees will present the results of their 2006 natural resource inventory of Orland’s 4,200-acre Wildlands property at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery.

With observations from subcontractors and dedicated volunteers, Dibble and Rees prepared a Geographic Information System, or linked database, for the new conservation area incorporating information on plant communities, wildlife habitats, flora, fauna, geology, soils and land use.

They collected data from beaver flowages to bald summits, hiking over rough, roadless terrain. Their report tallies more than 400 plant species, including two listed rare plants and 83 birds. An unexpected bird was the whippoorwill, thought to be in decline.

Dibble and Rees will share the new maps, along with photos of wildlife, habitats, unusual features, stunning views and close-ups of plants and insects. They will discuss recommendations for improving wildlife habitat, controlling invasive species and managing recreation in the area.

All are welcome. For more information, call Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust at 469-2008. Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery is located on Hatchery Road, 1.3 miles off Route 1 in East Orland.

Areawide

Tax help for low-income people

Volunteers are getting trained to offer free tax preparation services to low-income workers across Eastern Maine.

Beginning Feb. 1, trained volunteers will be in select libraries, town halls and agencies across the region helping people get their taxes filed, and to maximize the refunds they receive, quickly and at no cost.

The Eastern Maine Tax Coalition is a group of more than 20 organizations. The coalition is working to ensure everyone in need in the region gets their taxes filed at no cost. The coalition hopes to increase the number of eligible low-income workers who receive the Earned Income Tax Credit of up to $4,536. Thousands of eligible households in Eastern Maine currently do not receive the credit.

“All you need to do is dial 211, 24 hours a day, to find the nearest tax preparation site and schedule an appointment. There will be sites in Bangor, Ellsworth, Milbridge, Calais, Dover-Foxcroft and other locations,” said Eric Buch, president of United Way of Eastern Maine.

With Eastern Maine’s free tax preparation and electronic tax filing, families can get their full tax refund in as little as 14 days with direct deposit.

Taxpayers may be eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit if they worked in 2006 and:

. Have one qualifying child and earned less than $32,007; you may receive up to $2,747.

. Are married and have two or more qualifying children and earned less than $38,348; you may receive up to $4,536.

. Are an individual who earned less than $12,120; you may receive up to $412.

Certified volunteers prepare both federal and state income tax returns and will assist clients in making sure they claim all the tax benefits they are eligible for, including the Child Tax Credit. The free tax preparation service will be available through April 15.

The Eastern Maine Tax Coalition is a community-based coalition including members from, United Way of Eastern Maine, Penquis CAP, Washington Hancock Community Agency, AARP Tax-Aide, Neighbors Against Drug Abuse, Calais Weed and Seed, Women, Work and Community, Bangor Housing Authority, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Brewer Housing Authority, Casey Family Services, City of Bangor, Hancock County Higher Education Center, Husson College, IRS, Key Bank, Maine Career Centers, Penobscot County Federal Credit Union, Pine Tree Legal Services and others.

Call Laura Mitchell at United Way of Eastern Maine, 941-2800, for directions and appointment.

Repairing, improving homes

The USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 Loan Program helps homeowners remove health and safety hazards and provides funding to improve or modernize homeowner’s properties.

The program is for individuals with low income who need assistance with improving their homes. The program offers a 1 percent interest loan for a maximum of 20 years. The maximum outstanding amount of financing through the program is $20,000.

Examples of what a monthly payment would be compared to the amount of money financed are:

. A $5,000 loan at 1 percent for 20 years would result in a $23 per month payment.

. A $20,000 loan at 1 percent for 20 years would result in a $92 per month payment plus escrow for taxes and insurance.

Loans under $7,500 would not require placing a mortgage on the property.

There are multiple purposes for 504 loan funds. Examples include repairing or installing a well or septic system; replacement or repair of roof; replacement of doors or windows; replacement or addition of insulation; updating electrical system; updating or purchasing of a central heating system; repairing the foundation; replacing siding; making the home handicap-accessible and multiple other repairs.

To qualify for a 504 Loan through USDA Rural Development, applicants must be within the low income guidelines and meet other requirements.

For information, call Jonathan Bell at 990-3676, ext. 127, or e-mail Jonathan.bell@me.usda.gov, or visit Rural Development’s eligibility Web site at: http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do.