Anyone with an interest in foster care won’t want to miss the two-day Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine 2007 Annual Conference, which features outstanding speakers, workshops, presenters and guests.

Titled for the book “And Some Rise Above It,” the conference begins with check-in from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Friday, April 27, and from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Bangor Motor Inn and Conference Center, 713 Hogan Road.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 18; workshop registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; and you can attend one day, two days or part of either or both.

The registration fee is $55 per person; $100 per couple; or $75 for child welfare professionals. You can register online at www.affm.net, or call (800) 833-9786 or 827-2331 for more information.

AFFM director Bette Hoxie wrote that the conference’s special guest speakers include “And Some Rise Above It” author Dashawn Patrick of Seattle, Wash., who will deliver the keynote address; Jeannette Weidemeir Bower of the North American Council on Adoptable Children; Phyllis Stevens of the National Child Resource Center; and Joel Weintraub, whom Hoxie describes as “a humorous educator who merges professional comedy with physiology.”

Baseball fans may recognize Patrick’s name.

A youngster who spent 14 years in foster care, Patrick played for the American League Seattle Mariners baseball team.

This spring, Patrick will receive a sociology degree from the University of Washington and will work with Casey Family Programs, the largest foster care foundation in the country.

“Dashawn will talk about what it took for him to come from a humble and abusive situation and become successful,” Hoxie wrote.

Bower will discuss issues of mixed-race adoptions, and Stevens will address issues of cultural diversity and sensitivity.

The conference is designed for foster and adoptive parents and kinship providers, professionals in the field, judges, attorneys, educators, advocates and anyone interested in learning more about the future of Maine’s children.

For the third year, Kyla Khuu, the local U.S. Cellular wireless consultant in Bangor, will lead children from the Bangor Y and representatives of U.S. Cellular to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up Second Street Park in Bangor.

The city of Bangor will provide the rakes and bags, and the youngsters and adults will provide the muscle to clean and spruce up the site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the park.

The combined crew will remove litter and leaves, and lay landscape fabric for spring flowers at the park often used by children from the Bangor Y since it is located near the facility.

Local residents are welcome to join in the cleanup as well.

If you have questions about this public service event, call 441-5624.

A free Educational Series for Family Caregivers is being hosted by the Family Caregiver Support Program of Senior Spectrum and Waldo County Home Health and Hospice.

The sessions are noon to 2 p.m. Mondays, beginning April 16 and continuing on April 23, April 30, and May 7 in the Waldo County General Hospital Education Center, 118 Northport Ave., Belfast. You can bring lunch, and drinks and snacks will be provided.

Although there is no charge, registration is required for each session you want to attend. Call Brenda Whitley, (800) 282-0764 ext. 127, to register or for more information.

The April 16 topic is In-Home Care and Hospice Services for You and Your Loved One with Margie Spencer-Smith of Waldo County Home Health & Hospice and Connie Woitowitz of Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County.

On April 23, Belfast attorney Randy Mailloux will discuss “Advance Directives and Estate Planning.”

Lorraine Lachappelle of Goold Health Systems will present Goold Assessments and In-Home Programs on April 30.

Healthy Living Project Coordinator Amy Wanger will present “Taking Care of You” at the final session May 7.

As part of its new monthly cooking series, you are invited to “Hands on Fun with Fish” featuring Robert Tappan, executive chef of Four Points by Sheraton beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St. in Bangor.

The $20 cost includes the class and the meal, and pre-registration is required.

Tappan will teach you to prepare sole and salmon “with all the fixings,” and all proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House, “The House that Love Built.”

To register, call house manager Pat Beckwith or assistant house manager Dina Casey at 942-9003.

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