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Alton

Rabies clinic

A rabies clinic will be conducted 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Alton Municipal Building. The cost is $12. Dog licensing will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Animal Orphanage in Old Town.

Bangor

‘This I Believe’ on NPR

Annaliese Jakimides of Bangor has been selected to read her work on “This I Believe,” a National Public Radio program.

Jakimides describes the program and selection process as follows:

“‘This I Believe’ was originally a radio series that ran in the 1950s where people like Einstein and Rachel Carson were asked to write short essays about their core beliefs. It ran for about two years. A couple of years ago, it was resurrected, but it was also opened up to the public. It has broadcast an essay once a week since then, from people like Colin Powell, Isabel Allende, Bill Gates, John Updike, Bela Fleck, Judith Jamison, as well as some of us regular people whose work was selected from a pool of more than 35,000 submissions. Fewer than 200 essays (both solicited and submitted) have been broadcast in this incarnation. I am the first Mainer. It has been a remarkable experience.”

Jakimides’ segment will air on the Sunday, Jan. 20, edition of “This I Believe” (always part of NPR’s “Sunday Morning Weekend Edition,” usually broadcast around 9:30 a.m., although the time is not cast in stone.

The essay will be archived at the NPR Web site, www.npr.org.

Bangor Symphony Orchestra

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra has added Sarah S.P. McCarthy and Bonnie Cochrane to its staff. McCarthy is director of development and marketing. Cochrane is manager of patron services.

McCarthy most recently worked as a campaign associate with BHC Consulting Group LLC, providing fundraising counsel to nonprofit clients around Maine. She has more than 10 years’ experience in management, economic development and international service with the U.S. government, global organizations and foundations.

Before returning to her home state in 2005, she worked in Vietnam, Washington and Hartford, Conn. McCarthy has experience in fundraising, event planning, sales and marketing, program management, and monitoring and evaluation. She has a degree in international studies from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., and master’s degrees in business and development management from American University in Washington, D.C.

Cochrane has more than 20 years of experience as an executive administrator. Before joining the BSO, she worked as executive administrator with Performance Auto Diesel in Brewer. She also is co-owner of Classic Floral Designs and Gifts on Hammond Street in Bangor. She has served as president of the Bangor Emblem Club and Insurance Women of Eastern Maine. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Husson College and a certificate in data design from IBM. She is OSHA-certified as a safety compliance officer and is a notary public.

For information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and its schedule, visit www.bangorsymphony.com or call 800-639-3221.

From Geezer to Geek

The computer information systems program at University College of Bangor will sponsor a series of four free computer literacy workshops for senior citizens from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning Friday, Feb. 1, at the Computer Center, 201 Texas Ave. The schedule is:

. Feb. 1, Windows.

. Feb. 8, Word processing.

. Feb. 15, Internet.

. Feb. 22, E-mail.

Reserve computer time by calling 262-7864. Leave a message and your call will be returned.

Beds for cats

If you love cats and needlework, combine the two and secure the opportunity to win one of two books, “Cables” for knitters, and “Felted Crochet” for crocheters.

Bangor Daily News By Hand columnist Ardeana Hamlin is asking those who knit or crochet to create and donate 6-inch squares made of washable yarn for a charitable project.

The squares will be sewn into groups of six to create bedding for cats and donated to the animal orphanage in Old Town and to the Bangor Humane Society. Those who donate squares will be entered in a drawing for one of the books.

Send squares to: By Hand, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402. Or drop off squares at the front desk of the Bangor Daily News, Buck Street entrance.

Read Hamlin’s By Hand column each Tuesday in the Bangor Daily News or online at www.bangordailynews.com. For information, call 990-8153.

Feminist theology course

“Women have no past, no history and no religion,” wrote Simone de Beauvoir in 1949. Today, we know that women definitely have a rich past, an illustrious history and a great variety of religious experience, organizers of Cakes for the Queen of Heaven said.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven was created for those interested in exploring women’s religious history. It focuses on significant religious issues of feminism such as domination and subordination, suppression of the female presence, and access to power.

The Unitarian Universalist Association seminar by Shirley Ann Ranck will be presented by Catherine Foxson and Joyse Elaine 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 6-April 9, at Temple of the Feminine Divine, 31 Central St.

A fee of $5 per session is needed to defray expenses. The class requires a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 women.

To register, call 941-0261 and leave a message, giving your name and how to contact you.

Master Gardener training

The Penobscot County Extension office will offer the 2008 Master Gardener training program. The training sessions will concentrate on food crops.

Instruction will include basic soils, botany and pest management training. The program fee is $90. Master Gardeners receive a reference manual, interact with other gardeners and work on volunteer projects.

Forty hours of volunteer time is required of each trainee as part of the overall program.

The training will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The application deadline has been extended to Friday, Jan. 18. Training sessions will be held at the Extension office, 307 Maine Ave., Bangor. Application packets may be obtained by calling the Penobscot County Extension office at 942-7396 or 800-287-1485, or e-mail Theresa Tilton at ttilton@umext.maine.edu.

Sharing books with babies

The Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center will offer nine hours of training in Sharing Books with Babies. The class will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 23 and 30, and Feb. 6, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St. Cost of the training session is $15.

The class is designed to promote early literacy in infants and toddlers. Participants will explore early learning and how learning develops language mastery and builds early literacy skills. Bring a favorite book that you have shared with infants and toddlers.

Individuals are encouraged to call in advance to ensure that space is available. To obtain information or to register, call 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.

Potato chips fundraiser

Hope Lutheran Church, 540 Union St., and Fox Potato Chips are teaming to raise money for the church through weekly sales of potato chips made in Maine by Mainers from 100 percent Maine potatoes. Potato chip sales will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at the church.

Boot Camp for New Dads

The Penquis Parents Are Teachers, Too program is offering Boot Camp for New Dads, a free workshop for first-time dads-to-be who are in the last trimester of pregnancy. The next workshop will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St. Pizza and drinks will be provided. The snow date is Feb. 6.

New babies don’t come with owner’s manuals. Lots of first-time fathers have questions, such as: How do I hold, feed, talk to or play with a baby?

Boot Camp for New Dads offers first-time fathers-to-be a chance to talk with experienced dads who bring their own babies with them. The goal is for participants to leave the workshop more confident in their ability to be great dads.

There is no cost to participate. To register or to obtain information, call Wendy Pace at 973-3674 or 888-389-3610.

Free Spanish lessons

Free Spanish classes for children ages 0-6 years old will be given 4:15-4:45 p.m. every other Friday, beginning Jan. 25, at Bangor Public Library. Children will enjoy songs, games and stories in Spanish. Call 947-8336 for more information.

Bradley

Sled Rides at Leonard’s Mills

If the snow cover stays, the Maine Forest and Logging Museum plans 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 begin 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 will be open with a cozy fire in the wood stove. Riders should dress warmly and bring a blanket.

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 by calling 581-2871 for more information.

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.

Eddington

Grant for Comins Hall

The Eddington Clifton Civic Center recently received a $2,000 grant from the Maine Expansion Arts Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to help host an evening with Maine humorist Tim Sample. The show will take place March 22 at Comins Hall on Route 9, East Eddington.

“This grant will allow us to show off the success of recent Comins Hall renovation projects and raise awareness of the Hall as an arts venue,” said Mark Shane, president of the center. “We have done a huge amount of work restoring the hall and it’s just beautiful. So it’s high time Tim Sample graced our stage.”

Comins Hall was built in 1879 as a public hall and is a Registered National Historic Site. The center preserves and manages the hall as a community cultural and social resource. It is available for private functions as well as public suppers and performances, including the professionally produced annual Variety Show in April.

The Tim Sample show is a fundraiser for Comins Hall, serving as the kick-off for a renovation campaign focusing on new bathrooms and handicap accessibility. Parkside Tech of Eddington will donate the audio, lighting and production services for the event.

Hampden

Valentine’s dance

The McGraw School PTO will sponsor a family Valentine’s dance 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the McGraw School, 20 Main Road North. The cost is $5 per family and tickets will be available at the door.

Old Town

Rabies clinic

A rabies clinic will be conducted from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Old Town fire station. The cost is $12. Dog licensing will be available. Proceeds will benefit the animal orphanage in Old Town.

Orono

‘Keeping the Dream Alive’

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’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 supper, after which will be spoken word presentations. The theme for the evening is “Race, Injustice and Our Vision for a Better Tomorrow.”

Read a poem, lyrics to a song or a piece that conveys the speaker’s experience and dreams for a better society. Keep it 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 more information, call 942-9343.

The organization also encourages the public to attend the NAACP-University of Maine 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 Josephine Bright at 947-4625.

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

Faculty chamber concert

The University of Maine’s faculty chamber concert will feature “Elegy to the Future,” by Israeli composer Lior Navok, plus other works by Bitsch, Holmes, Wiemann and J.S. Bach. Performers will include Laura Artesani, Jack Burt, Liz Downing, Louis Hall, Ginger Yang Hwalek, Lisa Nielson, Stuart Marrs, Nancy Ogle, Noreen Silver, Phillip Silver, Anatole Wieck and Beth Wiemann.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in Minsky Recital Hall at the Class of 1944 Hall. Admission is $6. Call 581-1755 for ticket information.

Auditions for ‘Bus Stop’

Auditions for Orono Community Theatre’s production of William Inge’s romantic drama “Bus Stop” will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Keith Anderson Community House, 19 Bennoch Road. Five men and three women are needed. For information, call 866-5065.

Rabies clinic

A rabies clinic will be conducted 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Orono Fire Station. The cost is $12. Dog licensing will be available. Proceeds will benefit the animal orphanage in Old Town.

Green Party candidate

David Cobb, who was the 2004 presidential candidate for the Green Party, will visit the Bangor area Sunday and Monday, Feb. 10-11. The schedule of events is:

. Workshop, for 25 registered participants in return for a $25 donation, “Why Do Corporations Have More Rights than You Do?” 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, Coe Lounge, Memorial Union, University of Maine. Potluck supper and chat, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced. The workshop is designed to build awareness of the problems that excessive corporate power has created, and to show ways to control and diminish those powers.

. Lecture, an academic look at national campaigns, financing, third parties, etc., 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, Minsky Recital Hall, Class of 1944 Hall, University of Maine. Introduction by Pat LaMarche.

Organizers of the event said multinational corporations are the de facto governing institutions, determining how our food is grown and distributed, how we heat and light our homes, what poisons we breathe, drink and eat.

For more information, call John Greenman at 827-7014 or e-mail jgreenman@gwi.net.