With the opening of the 2008-2009 college year comes an opportunity from Eastern Maine Community College for area art lovers to view not one but two exhibits.

Elizabeth Clayton of EMCC reports the first of the EMCC 2008-2009 Art Exhibit Series features the photography of Grace M. Bartlett, titled “The Nature of Things and the Things of Nature.”

The exhibit can be seen Monday, Sept. 1, through Friday, Oct. 31, in the EMCC Library Gallery. For the Library Gallery hours of operation, call 974-4640.

Along with the Bartlett exhibit, Clayton wrote, EMCC invites you to view “Works by Maine Craft Association Mentors” beginning Monday, Sept. 1, in the library’s Maine Reading Room, which is around the corner from the Library Gallery.

The work of 15 MCA master craftspeople “who helped develop the curriculum for the new EMCC associate degree in Traditional and Contemporary Craft, or are interested in mentoring students of that program in their studies,” is featured in this exhibit, Clayton said.

The displayed work ranges from jewelry to blacksmithing, weaving and furniture.

The public is invited to attend a joint artists’ reception with Bartlett and the MCA Mentors from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Library Gallery.

The public is invited to attend a Bean Supper and Silent Auction from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, at Milo Post No. 41 of the American Legion on West Main Street in Milo.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10.

The fundraiser features a 50-50 raffle and other prizes. The raffle drawing will follow the supper.

Post commander Reggie Early reports that this fundraiser will benefit the organization’s “new post and Legion sign.”

Lewis Bayley called to report the Penobscot Chapter of the AARP is holding its first meeting of the 2008-2009 term at noon Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Elks Lodge on Odlin Road in Bangor.

“It’s a brown bag lunch with coffee and dessert provided,” he said.

The guest speaker will be The Weekly columnist Carol Higgins Taylor of Eastern Area Agency on Aging in Bangor.

“Any national member of AARP is invited to attend and affiliate with the local chapter,” Bayley said. For information, call him at 947-0608.

AARP is an organization for individuals 50 and older.

The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau invites you to attend or participate in its first Bangor Car Show: Wheels on the Waterfront from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, in the Queen City, rain or shine.

Committee chairman Bob Bangs has put together an event that not only includes awards for a variety of classes but also will offer door prizes, a 50-50 raffle, entertainment and food vendors, according to a release from the visitors bureau.

Admission to the event is $3, with supervised children under 5 admitted free.

The registration fee for those who want to enter the show is $10 for a car, driver and one passenger. The first 200 registrants also will receive a T-shirt.

Vehicle check-in is 8-10 a.m. that day and, the release states, “this is a participant-judged show, and trophies will be awarded at 2 p.m.”

For information, visit www.BangorCarShow.com or call 800-91-MOOSE or 947-5205.

Penobscot Valley Senior College reminds members their Gardeners’ Field Day, Preparing the Garden for Winter, is from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the home of Ralph and Allison Keef in Hermon.

You should bring a brown bag lunch, but dessert and beverages will be provided.

The event is limited to PVSC members only. Members are asked to register by Wednesday, Sept. 3, by calling the Senior College message phone at 262-7927 and leaving your name and phone number.

Directions to the site will be provided with the confirmation postcard that will be sent to those who register early.

My deepest sympathies are extended to my friend Joanne Miller of Bangor, her brothers, their spouses and family after the death of Joanne’s mother, Arleile Banks of Bangor, who died unexpectedly this week, just as plans were under way to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Friends now join with family to celebrate the life of this lovely woman in a much different setting, but the sentiment was exactly same, as they remembered one who brought so much joy to all whose lives she touched.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.