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Alton

Rabies clinic

The town of Alton, working with Timberland Animal Hospital, will hold a rabies clinic 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, for Alton and Argyle at the Alton Municipal Building. The cost is $12 per vaccination.

Animals receiving the vaccine must be at least 6 months old. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. The town clerk will be on hand to issue 2008 licenses.

Bangor

A ton of pasta

Cumulus Broadcasting will team up to broadcast live from four Hannaford Supermarkets 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, as they attempt to collect a minimum of 2,000 boxes of pasta, equivalent to a ton. Last year the radio stations collected more than three tons of pasta. A box of pasta can feed a family of four.

The broadcasting lineup is:

. WQCB Q106.5, Brewer Hannaford.

. WEZQ 92.9 Bangor, Broadway Hannaford.

. WWMJ I-95 Bangor, Airport Mall Hannaford.

. WBZN Z107.3, Old Town Hannaford.

Listeners are encouraged to stop by the participating stores and donate boxes of pasta and sauce (plastic bottles are preferred).

At this time of year, supplies at local food cupboards are running low. There is no organized food drive in the area until the Postal Workers’ Food Drive in May.

Organizers at Cumulus Broadcasting said that this winter, with unprecedented heating oil and gasoline prices, many Mainers are faced with the decision of buying food or fuel. For that reason, Cumulus wishes to be the conduit for collecting a ton of pasta.

Civil liberties awards

The Maine Civil Liberties Union will present the 2007 Roger Baldwin Award to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, state Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell and state Rep. Scott Lansley for their extraordinary advocacy in opposing the REAL ID national identification card.

The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Maine Civil Liberties Union annual meeting at Bangor Public Library. The public is invited to attend. For information, call Alex Bergo at 774-5444.

Benefit supper

A benefit spaghetti supper for Camden Brown will be held with two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Rangeley Hall, Sylvan Road.

Camden was born seven weeks early on Sept. 18 and has had surgeries to correct various medical problems. He is at Boston Children’s Hospital with parents Andy and Tonya staying close by.

Tickets for the supper are $7, $4 for children under age 8, or $25 a family. Donations may be made to Northeast EMS, Attn: Camden, 354 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401.

To reserve seats, call 974-4880.

Literacy tutor training

Make a New Year’s resolution and change an adult’s life forever.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will offer Basic Literacy Tutor Training for volunteers interested in helping adults improve their reading.

In eastern Maine, one in three people have low literacy and can only read at a fifth grade reading level – or never learned to read.

Tutoring an adult in reading only takes a few hours a week and the positive effects for that adult last a lifetime.

The next tutor training series will be held at noon Wednesdays, Jan. 16, 23 and 30, and 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 6 and 13, at United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road.

Those interested must call LV-Bangor at 947-8451 to register.

Course materials are $25; scholarships are available for those who can’t afford the fee.

LV-Bangor is an organization that links volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve their reading or learn English-speaking skills.

Those interested in improving their reading may contact LV-Bangor at 947-8451 for information on how to get a tutor.

Presentation on art

The public is invited to hear Cathy Melio’s presentation, “Fear No Art,” at the Bangor Art Society meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Bangor Public Library.

Melio, education director at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport, will show slides of artwork and give free CMCA passes to those who attend the meeting.

The Bangor Art Society meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Bangor Public Library and always welcomes new members.

In February, Michael Vermette will give a presentation about coffee paintings.

Photography workshop

The Bangor Land Trust will sponsor a photography workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Walden-Parke Preserve. Bangor Photo’s Joni Dunn will instruct photographers of all levels during an exploration of Walden Parke in winter. Sign up in advance and let Dunn know what kind of camera you will use during the workshop.

To get to Walden Parke, take Essex Street from Bangor. Turn right on Walden Parke Way and take the next right onto Tamarack Trail. Park at the end of the road near the BLT sign.

To obtain information or to register for the workshop, call Chandra at 942-1010 or e-mail chandra@bangorlandtrust.org.

Land trust volunteers

The Bangor Land Trust is seeking volunteers to help out with projects planned for January. The schedule is:

. Put in stringers for a new bridge across Penjajawoc Stream. The work session begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve.

. Help set up a Continuous Forest Inventory Plot 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Jan. 21, at Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve. Volunteers will measure parameters such as tree diameter, height and crown spread in an established plot that will be used by local school groups to learn about the forest. No experience is necessary.

. Volunteers on an on-going or onetime basis also are needed to help with office tasks such as posting flyers, sending faxes, addressing envelopes and filing.

To sign up for one of the volunteer activities, or to get information, call Chandra McGee at 942-1010 or e-mail chandra@bangorlandtrust.org.

Self-employment programs

Women, Work and Community is offering programs for those interested in self-employment. Both programs will be held at University College in Bangor in Acadia Hall. The programs are:

. Introduction to Self-employment, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. This introductory workshop will walk participants through the pros and cons of owning a business, step-by-step getting started, the major elements of a business plan and the resources available. It is designed to help participants decide whether self-employment is the right choice for them.

. Basics of Starting a Business, 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 22 and 29, and Feb. 5. For those thinking of starting a business, this workshop, developed in partnership with the Women’s Business Center at CEI, will answer questions, discuss pros and cons of being an entrepreneur and help you take the first steps. The class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing and cash planning, and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early start-up phase of a new business.

Both programs are open to men and women. Seating is limited and early registration is recommended by calling 262-7843, or e-mail searles@maine.edu.

New dance instructor

Keith and Maureen Robinson, artistic directors of the Robinson Ballet and the School of Robinson Ballet, have announced the addition of a new dance instructor, Stevie Dunham, effective Jan. 8.

The school is located at 107 Union St., above the Greyhound Bus station.

New classes offered include musical jazz theater for youth and intermediate levels, jazz for adults, tap for beginners, modern dance for open level, beginning youth and intermediate; and creative movement for preschoolers.

Preregister by calling 989-7226 or signing up at the School of Robinson Ballet Jan. 7 and after. For information, go to www.robinsonballet.org.

Dunham has been teaching dance to children and adults for seven years in Bangor and Richmond, Va. She has been a principal dancer with Robinson Ballet, dancing in “The Nutcracker” and the annual dance performance. She has been a choreographer for the annual dance performance for three years.

She has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Her training includes Boston Ballet, Bates Dance Festival and Florida Dance Festival.

Dunham earned a bachelor’s degree in dance and choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Robinson Ballet and School of Robinson Ballet are a nonprofit organization.

Nonprofit board building

The Institute for Civic Leadership will present Nonprofit Board Building 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Dyke Center for Family Business, Husson College.

The cost to attend the session is $70 per person, $55 for each additional person from the same organization. To register, call Wayne Griffin at 773-3254, Ext. 100, or e-mail wgriffin@civicleadership.org.

This practical workshop will give participants the knowledge and tools needed to develop an effective board member recruitment and orientation process.

Bradley

Sled Rides at Leonard’s Mills

If the snow cover stays, the Maine Forest and Logging Museum is planning horse-drawn sled rides at Leonard’s Mills, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17 and March 2.

Rides will commence at the blacksmith shop, loop through the forest and around the village, including crossing the covered bridge, and last for about 30 minutes. After a ride, visitors are invited to enjoy hot chocolate in the warmth of the blacksmith shop.

The gift shop also will be open with a cozy fire in the wood stove. Riders should dress warmly and bring a blanket to sit on.

The cost is $7, $4 for those age 12 and younger. This is a special activity and not a free benefit of membership of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum.

Private rides also may be scheduled.

Leonard’s Mills is located on the Government Road off Route 178 in Bradley between Milford and Brewer. For information, call 581-2871, leave a message and someone will return the call, or e-mail info@leonardsmills.com.

Holden

Nature writing workshop

A nature writing workshop will be held for writers of all levels noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Fields Pond Audubon Center. Workshop leaders are Kathryn Miles, director of writing at Unity College; and Holly Twining, Audubon naturalist.

Miles will focus on creative writing exercises and the nuts and bolts of writing with nature as subject. Twining will reveal wintertime wonders on a nature walk. Participants are advised to wear a hat, gloves and snow boots.

Images and ideas will be gathered on the walk and developed later into a short story or essay. Bring a notebook and pencil for note taking on the trail.

Time will be available for free writing before the group workshops some of the writing samples. Participants will have an opportunity to share their nature writing with the group at the close of the workshop.

The cost is $18 members, $22 others. Advance registration is required by calling 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org.

Orono

Planetarium shows

The Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium offers two family star shows in January, “Hubble Vision” and “Our Sky Family.”

“Hubble Vision” uses the latest images from the Hubble Space Telescope to take visitors on a journey through the universe. “Our Sky Family” explores a talkative solar system aimed at the youngest space travelers in the family.

For an adventure into the splendor of the cosmos through the lens of the Hubble orbiting observatory, journey to distant galaxies in “Hubble Vision” at 7 p.m. Saturdays. With glimpses of faraway star birth nurseries, a supernova and a comet’s collision with Jupiter, this spellbinding quest is not to be missed.

And for younger sky watchers, the night sky comes to life under the planetarium dome in “Our Sky Family,” showing at 2 p.m. Sundays. The star projector, Franklin, takes children on a guided exploration of each of the planets in the solar system.

Families also will learn how to identify this season’s constellations in the Maine night sky.

All showings are about one hour long. Admission is $3 and seating is limited, so reservations are highly recommended. For information and reservations, call 581-1341 or visit www.galaxymaine.com.

Winterport

Quilt group news

The Winterport Clippers Quilting Group displayed Christmas spirit by making more quilts for the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor.

The quilts were given to veterans in thanks for their service to their country. This was the second year the Clippers made quilts for veterans. Members contributing handmade quilts were Hope Bartlett, Julie Thomas, Suzan Howard, Carol Jordan, Shirley Jucius, Khris Lachance and Sandy Horn.

The Clippers meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at the Victoria Grant Center. Several quilting classes are held during each season. To join the group or to obtain information about it, call Sandy Horn at 525-4433 or Khris LaChance at 223-5424.