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Schools

Teen enrichment program

Bucksport’s Challenging Choices is seeking donations for its teen enrichment program for youth in grades six-12. Donations help to keep the cost of the program down to make it more affordable to participants.

Still needed are sewing accessories, glass beads, silver, jewelry-making supplies, scissors, yarn, scrap-booking supplies such as paper, scrapbooks, glue, stickers, ink pads and embellishments, cooking supplies, calligraphy sets, a ping pong table and a pool table.

Gift certificates from Wal-Mart, Craft Barn, Jo-Ann Fabric, A.C. Moore, Bucksport True Value, Hannaford and Shaw’s are helpful, as well.

Fall classes include arts and crafts, rape aggression defense, yoga, Chinese cooking, basket making, parent and youth, Lego robotics, calligraphy, art, glass painting, glass fusing, woodworking and sewing.

The agency’s last donation request yielded many yards of fabric and several sewing machines. That worked out well for the students who took sewing classes this summer, and also for those who will be sewing this fall and winter.

To obtain information or to have donations picked up, call Barb Ames at 469-6682.

Essay contest

BANGOR – Sylvan Learning Center is sponsoring a community essay contest for pupils in grades four through 12. There are separate categories for children in grades 4 and 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12. Essays are due by Wednesday, Dec. 7.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded in each of the three categories. First-place winners receive $400. Second place is $200 and third-place winners will receive $100. Every pupil who participates will be invited to a writing celebration. Winners will read their winning essays and receive award checks at the celebration. All participants will receive a ribbon.

Essay topics have been chosen to be in line with the Maine Learning Results.

Completed entry forms are due by Friday, Dec. 7.

For information and entry forms, call Sylvan Learning Center at 942-7234.

Colleges

University College at Bangor

BANGOR – On Sept. 4, some 1,000 students began fall classes at the University College of Bangor.

Among campus improvements this year was the extensive renovation of the third floor of Camden Hall. The first floor, with state-of-the-art science labs and the only Veterinary Tech Clinic of its kind in Maine, was completed in 2003. The third floor now boasts a new classroom, a video conference room, faculty offices and a small student lounge.

One week following the start of classes, the UCB Welcome Back Barbecue with live music will be held 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the UCB College Center.

UCB has been a campus of the University of Maine at Augusta since 1995, providing fresh starts and new directions for thousands who otherwise might never have explored the possibilities of a college education. About 20 percent of all UMA students take classes on the 160-acre Bangor campus.

Art at EMCC Library

BANGOR – The Eastern Maine Community College Gallery Series begins with an explosion of color in the featured work of Renate Caraballo.

In oils, acrylic and mixed media, “Landscapes: Inner and Outer” explores natural forms rooted in Maine landscape, in counterpoint to her inner conceptual explorations.

“Though always with a great affinity for natural forms, my work is foremost an exploration of the intersection of various interests and influences through an expressive, abstract interpretation,” Caraballo said. “Most often, I don’t begin working with an image in mind, but rely on a process of discovery through the work, and frequently use techniques of abstract expressionism or conceptual art to negotiate the process.”

A series of seven paintings titled “Blue” underscores the way Caraballo works: “The seven paintings in ‘Blue’ play with the color blue as sign and signifier as a way of working through the various ways that phrase can be interpreted: blue as metaphor; blue as emotional trigger; blue as mood.”

Using paint to build a painting, much like building a quilt out of small pieces, or, conversely, working backward to uncover what was there before by etching and scraping back paint to reveal its history, texture becomes Caraballo’s vehicle for exploration.

“Texture becomes a visceral and emotional association; striated lines etched into the work as I think of fault lines fracturing granite ledges on Monhegan Island, the coast of Maine or the chaotic web of intersecting roads on a map,” she said.

Born in Germany, Caraballo moved to Maine in the 1970s after studying art at DePaul University in Chicago. She continued her education at the University of Maine, earning a bachelor’s degree in art in 1996 and a master’s degree in art and writing in 2003.

Caraballo has exhibited work in galleries from Portland to Old Town. Her exhibit is at the Eastern Maine Community College Library Gallery through Oct. 31. A reception and presentation by the artist will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.

Husson College

BANGOR – “Since the year 2000 our overall enrollment has grown by 100 students each year,” said Dr. Richard Stephens, chief academic officer at Husson College in Bangor.

“This year’s entering class of 700 is our largest-ever and brings students from all across Maine and the United States. We have added 12 new faculty, new programs in chemistry, pre-pharmacy, health science and education, and we have a new dean of students,” he said.

Students from 225 Maine cities and towns and 21 states make up this year’s class. Students also are from as far away as India and Turkey.

“With increased retention and the record entering class, Husson finds itself literally bursting at the seams,” said Stephens. “We have 25 students in our new chemistry program that will lead to the doctorate in pharmacy program. This program is a continued escalation of our academic rigor and brings a new educational paradigm to our campus. Also, we are continuing to improve our responsiveness to student, faculty and community needs for higher quality in the educational experience we deliver.”

The Husson Campus is also home to the New England School of Communications. NESCom has an entering class of 180, which brings its enrollment to just over 400 students.