Bangor

‘Extreme Makeover’ auction package

A framed “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” T-shirt autographed by the show’s design team, a Boston-area hotel stay and a pair of Red Sox tickets are being auctioned on eBay with proceeds benefiting the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

The T-shirt was donated by local real estate agent and shelter fundraising volunteer Christopher Olsen from Prudential Northeast Properties. Hotel accommodations are being arranged by Edward Dennis from the Hampton Inn of Bangor. The Red Sox tickets are for a spring game at Fenway Park.

Olsen said the T-shirt was won at the reception given for volunteers who participated in the building of the Ray-Smith home in Milbridge as part of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.”

As a way to “pay it forward” it was decided to auction the autographed T-shirt and other items as a way of raising awareness as well as funds for the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

The easiest way to find the auction package is to visit www.ebay.com and enter item number 130187986587 into the search field.

The package was posted at no charge by Melissa Braley and Rick Marston from the UPS Store and Cedarjack Auctions. Their company also will cover the cost of shipping the package once the auction concludes on Sunday, Jan. 13.

It is the mission of The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter to provide emergency shelter and support services to the homeless and the economically disadvantaged of the Greater Bangor area and beyond.

The shelter is open 24 hours a day. Day programs also help keep others from becoming homeless.

Bangor Area Homeless Shelter volunteers are in the process of planning this year’s Hike for the Homeless on Saturday, May 10, in Bangor.

Individuals, businesses and civic organizations interested in learning more about the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and its programs may call the shelter at 947-0092.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year Festival Celebration will be held noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Campus Center in Peabody Hall at Husson College.

“Enjoy Chinese food and New Year shopping,” said Jing Zhang, who runs the Bangor Chinese School and the Chinese Language & Culture Center. “Learn the Chinese culture and sing Chinese songs.”

Offerings will range from the popular Chinese dragon dance to calligraphy, children’s crafts and paper-cutting crafts.

Students from the Chinese School will perform, Zhing said.

Also featured will be the erhu – the traditional two-stringed Chinese instrument – the flute, peaceful tai chi, the more vigorous gongfu, the Chinese calendar and door prizes.

All are welcome to attend.

Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Contact Jing Zhang at 990-0710 or e-mail zhangjing2000@yahoo.com

Chinese lessons – available during the daytime, after school, evenings and weekends – for children and adults of all levels will begin the second week of January at the Bangor Chinese School, a nonprofit organization. Call 990-0710 or visit www.bangorchinese.com

Orono

‘Keeping the Dream Alive’

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine will sponsor a free “Keeping the Dream Alive Spoken Word Cafe” 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the Keith Anderson Community Center, Bennoch Road, just behind the post office.

Bring a dish for the potluck community supper, after which there will be spoken word presentations. The theme for the evening is “Race, Injustice and Our Vision for a Better Tomorrow.”

Come read a poem, the lyrics to a song or a piece that conveys the speaker’s experience and dreams for a better society in the future. Keep the reading to 10 minutes or less so all will have a chance to speak.

“We look forward to a fun, interesting and inclusive event,” said Ilze Petersons. “You may wish to add your voice or simply spend time in a peaceful environment, making new friends and reconnecting with old.” For information, call 942-9343

The organization also encourages folks to attend the NAACP-UMaine Martin Luther King Breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the Buchanan Alumni House, 160 College Ave.

The keynote speaker will be Douglas Allen, UM philosophy professor and long time civil rights activist. Tickets may be purchased by calling NAACP President Joe Perry at 548-2081 or Josephine Bright at 947-4625.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for children 12 and under, and $5 for seniors 65 and over.