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Alton

Spring cleanup

The Alton Ssring cleanup will be held on Saturday, June 7. Acceptable material must be at curbside by 7 a.m. Pile metals separately from bulky waste. Mixed debris will not be taken.

Unacceptable metals are gas containers, propane cylinders and any metal that contains a liquid. Other unacceptable items are auto-related parts such as tire rims, TVs, computers, microwave ovens, mercury vapor tubes or wood waste.

Carpet must be cut into 4-foot sections, rolled and tied. Couches, mattresses and small amounts of sheet rock in bags will be accepted.

Freon must be removed from refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners before pick up.

For information, call Maine Waste Systems at 379-2031, or the town of Alton at 394-2601.

Bangor

Astronauts’ Ball

The first Astronauts’ Ball, a celebration of the longest day of the year, will highlight the beginning of summer 6-11:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Wellman Commons on the campus of the old Bangor Theological Seminary, 300 Union St.

The event will feature real astronauts, astronaut artifacts, exhibits from NASA, and door prizes, including the grand prize of a three-day trip to Orlando, Fla., with the opportunity to tour the Kennedy Space Center and watch the launch of the space shuttle Endeavor.

The Astronauts’ Ball will offere dining courtesy of Anne Marie’s Catering; a cash bar; and Brian Catell and the Jump City Jazz for dancing.

“We will celebrate the moon rising, the sun setting, our special honored guest astronauts and NASA personnel, and all of our honored attendees with an event that kicks off the summer social season in Bangor,” said Nathan Michaud, executive director. “Proceeds from the event will benefit the Challenger Learning Center’s mission, but just as importantly, we want to give the region a chance to experience a really unique, fun evening at a time of year when everyone is in the mood to celebrate life in Maine at its peak.”

Reservations are required. Tickets are $75, $125 a couple, $500 for a table of eight. To be added to the invitation list, call the Challenger Learning Center at 990-2900, ext. 4.

Spiritual development and recovery

The Addictions Ministry of Hammond Street Congregational Church invites all who are in a recovery program to explore spiritual development through the “Way of Life” of the Twelve Steps, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the church. Enter through the back door at 55 High St.

Come for all or part of the day, including a healing service at 3 p.m. Coffee, tea and a light breakfast will be provided at 9 a.m., and lunch at noontime.

The event is free. Participants in 12-step programs are welcome, as are pastors and others interested in recovery.

Register with Bill or Lee at 862-5448, or through the church at 942-4381.

Lidral Jazz Duo

Terry and Karel Lidral are musicians with a mission – to bring jazz to as many Mainers as possible. The Lidrals will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library.

After the free concert, there will be an informal discussion of jazz with Jay Bregman. Bregman teaches many courses in classical history at the University of Maine, but also teaches a course in jazz history every spring.

Karel and Terry Lidral are a husband and wife team – Karel performs on the soprano saxophone; Terry, on keyboard.

Karel, whose credentials include performing with Vicki Carr, Kate Smith, the Temptations and Manhattan Transfer, came to the University of Maine music faculty in 1993. He is the director of jazz studies, and recently developed a minor in jazz studies program that is attracting many students from all departments.

These students, who may be majoring in engineering or business, for example, may also develop their skills and love of music in Lidral’s program. One of the courses offered is jazz keyboard, which includes the lively and irresistible skills that Terry Lidral will demonstrate in the duo’s live performance at the library.

On guardianship, adoption

Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families And Children Together, will present a legal education roundtable 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Families and Children Together, 304 Hancock St. The free event, with attorney Amy Faircloth, will focus on guardianship and adoption of children through the probate court system.

Those raising a relative’s child are invited to attend the informative event.

Free child care will be available onsite, and a light pizza dinner will be provided. To obtain information, or to register and reserve childcare, call Janelle Wuoristo at 941-2347, toll free at 866-298-0896 or e-mail jwuoristo@mainekids-kin.org by April 25.

English Language Tutors

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is helping to create opportunities for volunteers who want to help immigrant residents acclimate to the area.

Volunteers interested in being trained as English language tutors are needed. As diversity in the region increases, so does the need for volunteers to help others adjust to American customs, culture, systems and language.

Every-day, routine tasks take on a whole new complexity for these English language learners. For example, making an emergency telephone call to 911 may be nearly impossible and possibly fatal.

LV-Bangor is conducting tutor training for volunteers interested in serving this diverse population.

The training is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29. All courses are held at United Technologies Center, Hogan Road and Mount Hope Avenue.

The cost is $25, and scholarships are available.

Those interested should call LV-Bangor at 947-8451 by Wednesday, May 7.

Earth Day Cleanup

The annual Fields Pond Earth Day Cleanup at the Bangor Mall will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Coordinators are Elizabeth Payne, Joyce Rumery, Jim Bird, Holly Twining and Judy Markowsky. There is no cost to participate.

Arrive at Borders or Hannaford near the Bangor Mall to clean litter before it blows into the Penjajawoc Stream, an important wildlife corridor from the Penobscot River to the Penjajawoc Marsh.

PICA Perennial Plant Sale

It’s time for the PICA plant sale. PICA has partnered with Peter and Julie Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm in Clifton to offer more than 100 varieties of hardy, field-grown perennials, including many plants native to Maine and New England. This is a distinctive opportunity to indulge yourself and beautify the Maine landscape while supporting your political commitments.

A portion of every sale goes to support PICA’s work.

These plants have been through the toughest conditions that a Maine winter can deal out.

The deadline for orders is May 1. For information, visit www.pica.ws to find the plant sale catalog illustrated with photos, instructions and a downloadable order form. Or e-mail info@pica.ws and a plant sale representative get in touch with you.

Payment is due on delivery. Plants should be available for pickup from your PICA contact on or shortly after the weekend of May 17.

Shipping is not available. Plants must be picked up in the Bangor area.

For more information, call PICA at 947-4203.

Globalization, migration and worker rights

Peace through InterAmerican Community Action invites the public to the second in a series of community workshops on immigration and trade, Know Us and Them, Uprooted: Immigrants as Refugees of a Global Economy, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at PICA/Peace and Justice Center, 170 Park St.

Topics for the workshop are: Why do people move? What role does globalization play in immigration? Who benefits from globalization? How is globalization affecting our communities? What makes some of us “aliens,” and others “residents?” Is it possible that we have more in common than we realize?

A film and group discussion will highlight the event. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by calling PICA at 947-4203, or e-mail info@pica.ws.

Brain Gym for kids

The Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center is offering training in Brain Gym: Kids, Movement and Learning. The class meets 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 3, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St. The cost of the training session is $15.

Brain Gym is a whole brain program using 26 fun, simple movements to help complete neurological development, release learning blocks and reduce stress. For all ages, Brain Gym with Margaret Marshall can increase self-confidence and maximize mental, physical and creative abilities.

For information or registration, call 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.

Bradley

Woodsmen’s Day at museum

Woodsmen’s Day at Leonard’s Mills, living history site of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum, will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Admission is $5, $2 children 12 and younger, free to Maine Forest and Logging Museum members.

Leonard’s Mills is located on Government Road off Route 178 in Bradley. Woodsmen’s teams from Colby College, Unity College and the University of Maine will demonstrate competitive logging skills used at college and professional Woodsmen’s Day events, nationally and internationally.

Maine Forest and Logging Museum volunteers will present lumbering skills and tools representative of a Maine lumberman’s life, such as sawing, hewing and black-smithing. Bean-hole beans cooked at Leonard’s Mills will be available for sampling.

For more information, call 581-2871 or e-mail info@leonardsmills.com.

Brewer

‘A Night at the Opera’

The New Renaissance Singers will present “A Night at the Opera” at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at First Congregational Church on Church Street, off North Main Street.

Featured will be opera choruses and arias ranging from the very famous to little-known gems by composers such as Bizet, Verdi and Mozart.

Melodies from opera abound on radio, TV and in the movies. The music performed will be recognizable even to those in the audience who may not have heard opera before. Singing along is encouraged.

A raffle will be held for an opera-themed basket of goodies, and the audience is invited to a reception after the concert to share homemade refreshments and meet with the singers.

The concert is free. However, tax-deductible donations are cheerfully accepted.

The New Renaissance Singers is a nonprofit community choral group that has performed for 16 years. Chorus director is Laura Estey and Dora Rexrode is the accompanist.

Members are Judy Adams, Nancy Averill, Kathryn and John Farquhar, Debbie Gunn, Marie Harrington, Melva Kent, Janet Kimball, Pat Moulton, Tracy Reeves, Bill Shook, Molly Stevens, Mike Strang, and Pam and Rew Ware.

Rehearsals for the group’s December concert will begin in September. New members are welcome and appreciated. To obtain more information about the spring concert or to join the New Renaissance Singers, visit www.nrsingers.com or call Pam Ware at 989-6535.

Levant

Peace Corps service

Maria Rose-Lynn Noyes, 22, of Levant has been accepted into the Peace Corps. She left for Ukraine on March 25 to begin training as a youth development Peace Corps volunteer.

On graduation from volunteer training in June, Noyes will provide civic and vocational leadership at the secondary education level, as well as enhancing community development.

“When I was 12 years old, I told my mother I wished there was a way I could volunteer every day and not have to worry about food or shelter,” said Noyes. “My mother replied, ‘that’s called the Peace Corps.’ I’ve had it in my mind since then.”

Noyes is the daughter of Michael and Lori Noyes, and a graduate of Hermon High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 2007 from California State University in Northridge, Calif.

Noyes has worked as an instructor of daily living skills and activities for adults with developmental disabilities.

“The Peace Corps seems like the perfect opportunity for a single young woman like myself to expand my experiences and understanding in diversified peoples, places and ideas,” said Noyes. “Such expansion is very important to the development of an open mind.”

During the first three months of her service, Noyes will live with a host family in Ukraine to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Noyes will serve for two years in Ukraine, living in a manner similar to people in her host country.

Noyes joins 73 Maine residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 1,631 Maine residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

To learn more about the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov.

Old Town

Animal Orphanage benefit

Remember May Day and the May baskets that went with it? Well, here is your chance to win a very special May basket. Longaberger Basket Bingo will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Old Town Elks Lodge.

The event is sponsored by the Animal Orphanage, a no-kill shelter for strays in Old Town and Orono. Proceeds go directly to animal care.

A ticket for $10 buys 10 games with chances to win a beautiful basket each time game. Two black-out games for $5 each also will be conducted. Refreshments will be available.

“We are very excited about this event,” said Bobbie Fowler, president of the Animal Orphanage board of directors. “We hope to raise significant money for the orphanage and the homeless animals we rescue.”

For information, call the Animal Orphanage, 827-8777; or Bobbie Fowler, 827-2658.

Maine Indian Basketmakers

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded 12 grants for groups throughout Maine, totaling $966,500 for artistic endeavors.

The grants include $30,000 for the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance in Old Town to support the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program and Maine Indian Basketmakers Gathering-Festival, which will support basket makers and apprentices in the ancient traditions of ash and sweetgrass basketry among the Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes of Maine.