Bangor

Dessert with Elvis

The third annual Dessert with Elvis, featuring Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy, will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor.

The event, sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church, will include silent and live auctions, dessert buffet and a performance by “Elvis.” Tickets are $10 and at Patrick’s Hallmark Shop, Rebecca’s and Grace United Methodist Church in Bangor, or at the door the night of the event.

Auction items include gift certificates from restaurants, theaters, Penobscot Bingo and other businesses, theme baskets, quilts, gifts, jewelry and more. Proceeds benefit Grace United Methodist Church community outreach programs.

Wise, safe investing

The Wise and Safe Investing conference will be held 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road.

Gov. John Baldacci will offer welcoming remarks.

Attendees will hear the latest from national and state securities regulators on how to protect yourself from investment fraud and unethical practices.

The event is sponsored by the Maine Office of Securities and the Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing, with participation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

The conference is funded by a grant from the Investors Protection Trust. For information, call AARP/ME at 877-926-8300 after Sept. 8, to register free.

NASA ambassador talks

Meet NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 2008 solar system ambassador at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library.

Donald Aucoin will take attendees on a trip around the solar system and lead discussion about recently revealed wonders of the universe.

The subject of Aucoin’s first presentation is “Mars: The Search for Life.” It will feature the latest information on the Phoenix Mars Landing and images of the landing from orbiting explorers. Time for questions and discussion will be held.

Aucoin will offer “Beyond Mars: the Search for Life” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, also in the Lecture Hall. Hear about Cassini’s Saturn discoveries, and consider whether we may have been looking for life in the wrong places.

Aucoin will present “Hubble’s Secrets Revealed and What’s Next” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 7, in the Lecture Hall at the library.

Art at Boyd Place

“Art from the Heart,” water color and mixed media by area art educators, will be shown through Thursday, Sept. 25, at Boyd Place Gallery, 21 Boyd St., Bangor. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Call 941-2820 for more information.

Book on eminent domain

Jean Boggio, author of “Stolen Fields: A Story of Eminent Domain & the Death of the American Dream,” will speak about her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bangor Public Library.

Though a long-time resident of Maine, Boggio writes about the Pennsylvania branch of her family, the Coles of Neville Island who, during World War I, had their farmland taken by the U.S. government for a proposed munitions plant.

The factory was never built and the Coles were told they could bid on their own land. However, their opponent would be Carnegie Steel.

USA Today said of the author, “As a memoir writer, Jean Boggio is a gifted storyteller.” Boggio’s book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tuesday Forum lunch

Tuesday Forum invites women to its Meet Us for Lunch series. Tuesday Forum is a networking organization designed to provide professional and personal growth opportunities for working women.

The group meets at noon Tuesdays for a luncheon program at the Muddy Rudder. On Sept. 9, the group will host an Open Forum to encourage area women interested in learning more about Tuesday Forum to attend as a guest.

Membership Chairwoman Melissa Huston said, “Members will share their networking success stories, so it will be a wonderful opportunity for guests to see the benefits of joining the group.”

The price of a guest lunch is $8.25. For more information, visit www.tuesdayforum.com.

Hospice volunteers

Hospice of Eastern Maine is seeking caring men and women of all ages and walks of life to join its family of patient care volunteers, who share their time and friendship with terminally ill patients and their caregivers.

Hospice care focuses on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of hospice patients and their loved ones. Trained medical professionals deliver the physical care; hospice volunteers provide companionship and comfort care. They are “friends in a time of need” to the patients and families they serve. Volunteers generally give two to four hours of service each week when assigned to a patient and family.

HOEM’s fall training course will meet 5:30-9 p.m. six Tuesdays, Oct. 7-Nov. 11, at the Eastern Maine Medical Center Healthcare Mall, 885 Union St., Suite 220.

The course will help prospective volunteers understand end-of-life and prepare them to provide emotional support, respite and bereavement care for hospice patients and their families.

To obtain more information about becoming a volunteer with HOEM or to request an application packet, call Wayne Melanson, director of volunteer services, 973-8269, or e-mail wmelanson@emh.org. Aspiring volunteers must complete an application and interview by Oct. 3. Class size is limited.

Book by Bangor author

PublishAmerica announced that it has published “I Am Just Too Human!” by Karen R. Lund of Bangor.

“My Heavenly Father has given me an inspirational motive to keep a day-by-day diary on how well I think and respond to daily situations that could very well make an impact on other fellow human beings who read this book,” Lund said. “Now you just have to remember that ‘I Am Just Too Human’ myself. I find myself in such situations that I can only depend on the grace of God to help me through any pitfalls along life’s way. I consider myself a child of God and yet I sure can get into trouble without anybody’s help at all. I call it a gift. Yet how I respond to trouble, or sarcasm if you will, is a definite way of how people will look at me as a Christian and how it affects my daily walk with God.”

PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company with the primary goal of encouraging and promoting the work of new, previously undiscovered writers.

Like mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties, makes its books available in the United States and Europe through bookstores, and never charges fees for its services.

Literacy Volunteers

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is seeking those interested in helping an adult improve his or her reading. Adults with low literacy have limited job and earning prospects, difficulty supporting their children in school and don’t fully participate in community activities.

By tutoring an adult a few hours each week, a volunteer can make a significant difference in his or her life as well as in our community. Training is available this fall in both Old Town and Bangor. The training starts in mid-September.

While there is no cost, Literacy Volunteers asks for $25 to defray the costs of the book and materials. Scholarships are available.

For information about the training’s evening dates and times, visit www.lvbangor.org or call 947-8451. Registration ends Sept. 9. Literacy Volunteers of Bangor served more than 150 adults last year.

Rally-O Match

The Penobscot Valley Kennel Club will hold an AKC-sanctioned Rally-O Match beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, rain or shine, at the Waterfront, Railroad Street. Entry fee is $6 per dog, $4 each additional dog. Participation in the junior and adult handling class is free.

Judges are Barbara Butterworth of Waldo, Susan Parson of Holdness, N.H., Nancy Daniels of Eddington, Arthur Malaussena of Sullivan, and Ann Pedreschi of Holden.

For more information, visit http://groups.msn.com/penobscotvalleykennelclub.

Bradley

Family, community history

Bradley residents and former residents are invited to share family and community history with visitors at Leonard’s Mills 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. The Maine Forest and Logging Museum will share its history while asking Bradley folks to bring out old photos, memorabilia, maps, books, business items – whatever will highlight the community’s history.

Stories about Bradley’s past will provide visitors a glimpse of life in the community for the past 300 years. Bradley residents and those sharing our history will be admitted free to the museum grounds that day.

For more information, call 581-2871 and leave a message.

Brewer

Jamboree and Round Up

The public is invited to attend the Jamboree and Round Up on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Second Congregational Church, 607 South Main St.

Worship begins at 9:30 a.m., with a barbecue afterward of hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled pork, and then a sing-along. Those who wish may dress in Western garb. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume. For more information, call 989-7930.

Historical society meeting

The Brewer Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 350 N. Main St.

Members are reminded to note the change in meeting place for this month only. They will remember Joshua Chamberlain’s birthday. Refreshments will be served.

Ten Bucks Theatre auditions

Ten Bucks Theatre Company invites the public to audition for its October production, “An Evening of One Acts,” directed by Simon Ferland and Katie Toole, 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Between Friends Gift Shop and Art Center, 39 Center St.

The one-act plays are:

. “The Attempted Murder of Ms. Peggy Sweetwater” by John Ruston and Frank Semerano, directed by Simon Ferland.

. “The Duck Variations” by David Mamet, directed by Simon Ferland.

. “Here We Are” by Dorothy Parker, directed by Katie Toole.

Roles are available for 12 actors. Monologues are preferred, but not required. Some roles use British or Irish accents, some do not use accents at all.

The audition will be run ensemble style, so actors should plan on staying for the full two hours. It is not required to attend both audition sessions.

“An Evening of One Acts” will be performed at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18; Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 23-25; at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 and 26. For info, e-mail simonferland@umit.maine.edu.

Carmel

Children’s story hour

Becky Ames, librarian at Simpson Memorial Library in Carmel village, reminds patrons that the monthly story hour will resume 10-11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month, beginning Sept. 13. The story hour is geared toward pre-kindergarten children to age 5.

Clifton

Sunday school rally

A performance by a Christian professional juggler and miniature pony rides will be among the activities at a rally to start the Sunday school year at the Clifton United Baptist Church on Sept. 6.

Games and food will be offered 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the church’s parking lot, 742 Airline Road in Clifton.

Sunday school classes for children and adults are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, with a worship service at 9:45 a.m. led by the Rev. John P. Walsh.

For more information, call Walsh at 843-5441.

Eddington

Smothered beef supper

A smothered beef supper will be held at 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Comins Hall, 1387 Main Road. Tickets are $7 adults and teens, $3 children. The menu is smothered beef with gravy, fresh mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls and biscuits, pies and cakes.

Money raised will be used for a “kitchen shower” to update cooking equipment. Comins Hall has a new commercial-grade stove and hood, and now needs “real” pots, organizers of the supper said.

Comins Hall has served the community for 129 years and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hermon

Plant swap

The Eastern Maine Orchid Society will hold a plant swap 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Greencare, Route 2. Many types of plants, including orchids, will be featured. The event is free and open to the public.

A few basic guidelines must be followed to participate:

. Plants must be healthy and in pots.

. Plants should be labeled with the common name of the plant; botanical names are not necessary. Care instructions or growing tips are useful, but not necessary.

. Bring at least one plant to swap.

Eastern Maine Orchid Society members will be available to talk about orchid care and answer questions. Greencare personnel will give tips on caring for other types of plants. Plant pots, soil, orchid medium, fertilizers and other plant care products will be available for purchase from Greencare.

For more information call Janelle at 567-3822 or Mary Lou at 848-5453.

Holden

Programs at Fields Pond

The following programs are scheduled at Fields Pond Audubon Center, 216 Fields Pond Road:

. Photo Journey of the Galapagos Islands with Karen Francoeur, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. $5 Audubon members, $6 others. Travel with Maine sea kayak Master Guide Karen Francoeur of Castine Kayak Adventures International among the Enchanted Islands of the Galapagos. It was here that Darwin first formulated his theory of evolution due to the unique species that lived only on these isolated islands off the coast of Ecuador. Francoeur will show photos and video clips of unique and endemic species above and below the water and discuss what is being done to protect them.

. Nature Time for Children, fall session for children ages 2 to 4 with parent, 11 a.m.-noon every other Thursday, Sept. 25-Dec. 18. Free to parents. $24 Audubon members, $28 others. Advance registration required for series. Call 989-2591. Nature-based program with stories, creative play, hands-on activities or a nature-art project will be included. Parents participate in the program. Be prepared to be outside for a portion of each program.

Orono

‘Let’s Talk About It’ series

The Orono Public Library will offer a free Maine Humanities Council “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion group with copies of books available through the library.

The series “Opening Windows: Women’s Stories from Five Cultures, An Exploration of Storytelling Traditions in Women Writers from Asia, India, Africa and the Caribbean,” with discussion leader Judy Hakola, begins 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Inn at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community.

The series also will meet at the same time Thursdays, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, Jan. 22 and Feb. 26. The public is welcome.

Discussion books are “Kitchen” by Banana Yoshimoto, “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy, “Nervous Conditions” by Tsitsi Dangarembga, “Kehinde” by Buchi Emecheta and “The Farming of Bones” by Edwige Danticat.

Series books are available for loan at the library. For information, call 866-5060.

INDE filmsies

The Orono Public Library will host a series of award-winning independent films on the first Thursday of each month at the Keith Anderson Community House, Bennoch Road.

“The Grocer’s Son” will be shown at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4. “Arranged” will be shown at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.

Admission is free. Popcorn will be available for purchase. Also, check out the new selection of INDE films available for loan at the library.

Reflective Readers Series

The Orono Public Library’s reading and discussion group, “The Friday Morning Reflective Readers,” will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in the library’s Nichols Reading Room. The group will discuss “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Through its theme “American Literary Classics” this fall, the Friday Morning Reflective Readers will visit – or for some re-visit – classics in American literature both for their intrinsic merit and for the insights they offer into the way Americans have perceived themselves at various times in history.

Call or stop by the library to learn how to order a copy. For more information, call the library at 866-5060.

Talk on women in politics

The public is invited to attend a talk by Emily Cain, state representative for District 19. She will talk about experiences as a young woman in politics as well as paint a national and regional picture about the state of women in politics.

There will be a discussion about the role women can play in the political realm and especially in public policy-making.

The talk will take place at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St. The Penobscot Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women is the sponsor. For more information, call Lee Davis at 866-4785.

Stillwater

Church festival

Stillwater Fest will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Stillwater Federated Church, Bennoch Road. Admission is free. Activities include games, clowns, face painting, a cake walk, live entertainment and a sing-along. Lunch will be available.