Gala to mark AIDS network’s 20th anniversary

Eastern Maine AIDS Network president Mary Jude and members of its board invite you to join them in celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary by attending its Red Ribbon Ball.

That event is from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Society Ballroom of the PROTEA Building on the corner of State and Exchange streets in Bangor.

For those unfamiliar with this old building’s new name, it is the former Bangor Hydro building.

WABI-TV personalities Joy Hollowell and Alan Grover will serve as mistress and master of ceremonies for the fund-raiser, which includes dancing to the music of Brian Catell and The Jump City Jazz Band.

You also will enjoy a silent auction, a live auction featuring a Forest Hart sculpture, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and desserts by Montes Catering, and a cash bar.

Dress is black-tie optional, and tickets are $75 per person.

To obtain tickets or more information, call 990-3626.

Jude said the event was planned not only in recognition of “the fact that we are here and are celebrating our 20th year of providing services to individuals with HIV and their families, but, as importantly, highlighting the issues of prevention.”

She indicated that while it may appear “HIV and AIDS has taken a back seat to other medical issues,” thanks to “the wonderful treatment now,” it is also important to recognize that “what the public doesn’t see is that HIV numbers are increasing all the time” among gay men, and also are increasing among 50-year-old-and-up heterosexual females.

As it celebrates 20 years of service to the community, it is not only essential that Eastern Maine AIDS Network be able to continue its work to increase awareness of the disease, Jude said, but also that people are aware of what they can do to assist with that effort.

Jude pointed out, for example, that the network has “lost a third of our funding in the last year, and we are desperately in need of community support.”

If you cannot attend the benefit, but would like to help by making a contribution, send donations to Eastern Maine AIDS Network, 370 Harlow St., Bangor 04401.

Iris Simon reports the Livin’ Life Large Girls won the Victory Stick for Week 4 of the 10-Week Healthy Hancock Lose and Win program, and that the 382 participants have lost a total of 1,914 pounds.

The Slim Downs of Otis were second and are doing very well, Simon wrote of the team that “has been one of the top three losers each of the four weeks.”

For participants in the Deer Isle-Stonington area, Brennan Murphy will demonstrate yoga at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Sunset Parish House.

Jeanne Edwards will discuss how emotions affect eating habits at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the VFW Hall in Ellsworth.

Both meetings are free for participants in the Lose and Win program and $2 for others.

The workshops are free and pre-registration is not necessary, so you can walk right into the Maine Arts Commission artME Workshop at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Buchanan Alumni House at the University of Maine in Orono.

The MAC staff will answer questions about grant writing, working with the press and creating your own Web site to improve your artistic endeavors.

People interested in community art, public art or art in education also will be able to obtain answers to any questions they may have.

Contemporary and traditional artists, cultural administrators, educators and cultural entrepreneurs and community members are invited to participate.

If you need special accommodations to attend, or have other questions regarding the workshop, you can call Darrell Bulmer, 287-6746 or (877) 887-3878, TTY/NexTalk.

Cheri Goodspeed reminds you the public is invited to watch up to 30 dog teams from the United States and Canada compete in the Moosehead Lake Area 100-Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race that starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Station on Village Street in Greenville.

The race ends in that community and includes a layover in Brownville. You can view the race from Greenville, Brownville or in between.

Call the Moosehead Chamber of Commerce, 695-2702, or the Greenville town office, 695-2421, for more information.

Hosted by the towns of Greenville and Brownville, with Plum Creek Timber Co. and area businesses, the event also features a Musher’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the American Legion Hall in Greenville. Admission is $6.

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