Bangor

Coco, Colossal Colon

“Coco,” as the Colossal Colon is affectionately known, is a 40- foot long, 4-foot tall oversized model of the human colon that is designed to educate the public about colorectal cancer and other diseases of the colon.

Visitors who crawl through the Colossal Colon will see Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, cancerous and non-cancerous polyps and various stages of colon cancer.

“Coco’s” Bangor visit is brought to you by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention with the support of Eastern Maine Medical Center to educate the community on the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings as an effective tool in the prevention of colon cancer.

The exhibit will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Macy’s Court at the Bangor Mall.

For information, call 775-5227.

Child development workshop

You know that babies are born learning, but how do you make everyday moments teachable moments for your child? United Way of Eastern Maine is ready to help with free, attractive and researched-based handouts that educate parents and caregivers about what is happening with a child’s development. The materials include activities, checklists, tips and tools to make parenting easier.

The materials offer action steps that make it easy and fun to help young children learn during everyday activities, such as sorting laundry or grocery shopping.

The ready-made tools are part of Born Learning, a national public engagement campaign helping parents, caregivers and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. Born Learning is a partnership between United Way and Civitas, an expert in parent outreach strategies and creative marketing around early childhood.

Born Learning training to explain the materials and answer questions on how to use the materials will be held 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Penquis CAP, Harlow Street, Bangor.

The training is open to parents and to those working with young children. Child care providers and home visitors will receive a training certificate worth 1.5 hours toward their requirements. Call 941-2800 to register.

Open house at Job Corps

Penobscot Job Corps Academy will hold an open house 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at 1375 Union St.

Students, parents, educators and members of the community are welcome to attend.

Job Corps serves young adults ages 16-24. Career training is available in business technologies, culinary arts, certified nursing assistant, construction, medical office support, welding and facilities management. Students also may participate in high school diploma programs, GED programs, driver education and job placement services.

RSVP to Renae Muscatell, 990-3000, ext. 268, or e-mail Muscatell.Renae@jobcorps.org

Brewer

Junior Exhibition

The junior class at Brewer High School will present its annual Junior Exhibition Show at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the high school gymnasium.

The variety show, which has taken place for more than 30 years, features singing, dancing and humorous skits.

Advance tickets are available for $6 in the main office at the school.

Tickets at the door will be $8.

For information, contact Andrea Jordan, 989-4140.

Hampden

Basics of investing

Jeff P. Russell will present a free lecture, “Wall Street Wisdom: The Very Basics of Investing for Quality in the Stock Market, 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, March 26, in the Community Room at Edythe Dyer Community Library, Main Road North.

The focus will be basic tools for monitoring the quality of one’s investments and underlying principles that can be applied to both individual stock portfolios and mutual fund portfolios. Russell also will address a relatively conservative strategy for participating in the stock market.

Russell has a law degree.

Songs for a New World

ORONO – At first glance “Songs for a New World,” music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, is about just that – going to the New World and all that is represented in such a journey.

But one doesn’t have to look far below the surface to find multiple meanings for a “new world.” Is it the personal journey we all take through our lives? Is it the journey of growing up? Is it the growth we all experience when we meet adversity, when our beliefs are challenged, when someone betrays us or commits to love us forever?

From the opening lyrics, “A new world calls across the ocean”; to the final reassurance, “Listen to the words in my heart, listen to the hope I can bring, and we’ll start to grow and shine. Listen to the song that I sing and trust me, we’ll be fine,” “Songs for a New World” is about all of these ideas and more.

It is about a spiritual community as people open their arms and embrace difference or realize just how challenging the journey is, but take it just because it is.

For certain, it is about 15 talented singers and actors and one capable music director having a wonderful time interpreting and performing the vibrant and engaging score.

“Songs for a New World” takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St.

Production director is Andrew McCormick; production manager, Connie Carter. The players are Monique Bouchard, Maida Cordero, Jose Cordero, Jenny Couture, Valeria Dimitrova, Nestor Gonzalez, Jon Hawley, Lexi Lowell, Joanne Pineau, Laurie Pinkert, Jae Rose, Matthew Skaves and Amy Smart.

Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Donations at the door are optional.