Bangor

Spruce Run volunteers

Spruce Run Association is seeking volunteers to answer hot line calls. The hot line is available 24 hours a day for those who want a safe, confidential place to talk about what’s going on in a relationship, or to discuss a friend or family member who may be abused.

Hot line workers provide support and validation, explore options and offer information about abuse and community resources. Volunteers need no previous experience or special skills except a desire to help.

Most hot line volunteers work from their homes. Hot line workers may volunteer time, use work-study funds or internship time. Training for hot line workers will be held Monday and Thursday evenings beginning Monday, Sept. 22.

For information about volunteering at Spruce Run, call Margo Batsie, 945-5102, ext. 14.

Spruce Run’s 24-hour hot line 800-863-9909 is available to anyone affected by domestic abuse to talk about the situation and explore options.

Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Responsible Dog Ownership Day will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept 13, on Railroad Street, Bangor waterfront.

Meet some of the more than 150 breeds of dogs of the American Kennel Club. Information about AKC events and dog ownership will be available and free gifts for the children will be handed out.

A costume contest begins at 11 a.m. The cost to enter a dog is $1. The contest is free to those who wish to view it. Dogs must be leashed.

Also the same day, an All Breed Sanctioned AKC Dog Match with Obedience and Rally-O will be held. The event is run the same way as AKC dog shows seen on TV.

Free rock art show

Radio station 100.3 WKIT will rock the art world with its second annual 100.3 WKIT Rock Art Show, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Bangor Civic Center, 100 Dutton St.

The show is a rare collection of original art, lithographs, photographs, handwritten song lyrics, concert posters, gold records, album art, animation drawings and more from the greatest rock artists of all time. The show is free and open to the public. All works are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to the March of Dimes.

The show will present a collection of works from artists such as Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, John Entwistle of The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, David Bowie, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Tony Bennett, Jon Anderson of Yes, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, U2, John Mellencamp, Brian Wilson and Micky Dolenz, plus rock photographs from sessions including The Eagles, Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash and more.

The show will feature signed handwritten song lyrics, album cover artwork, gold records, concert tour posters and more.

Ron Campbell, director of the legendary Saturday morning “Beatles Cartoon” series that aired on ABC 1965-1969, will make a personal appearance.

Ballet classes, auditions

Robinson Ballet and the School of Robinson Ballet announces its 2008-2009 season and school schedule:

Classes begin this week and run through June 2009. Register for classes by calling 989-7226, or in person at the studio, 107 Union St.

Auditions for “The Nutcracker” will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at the studio:

. 10:30 a.m.-noon, company class open to all dancers auditioning.

. 12:30-1:30 p.m., dancers age 12 to adult.

. 2-3 p.m., dancers age 9 to 11.

For class information and Nutcracker performance dates, locations and times, visit robinsonballet.org or call 989-7226.

Walk for Hunger

The second annual Walk for Hunger to support the Hammond Street Ecumenical Food Cupboard will be held Saturday, Sept. 20. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St., in the parlor. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m.

The 4-mile walk begins at Grace United Methodist Church and proceeds to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 754 Ohio St., then back to Grace church for a free community lunch. Proceeds benefit the food cupboard supported by nine local churches.

For more information, call Grace United Methodist Church at 942-8320.

Parish renewal

“Gather Us In,” a Parish Mission of Renewal presented by a Redemptorist mission team from Denver, Colo., will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21; at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 22-24; and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St. Baby-sitting will be available. For more information, call Stephanie at 862-4735.

Nosh ‘n Learn breakfast

Congregation Beth Israel, 144 York St., will hold a “Nosh ‘n Learn” breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the synagogue. The speaker will be F. Sara Wiseman. Her topic will be “Jews in Ghana, West Africa? An Eye Witness Report.” The public is invited.

City personnel

These changes in city personnel were announced:

New employees

M. Kathleen Lena, pool nurse, hired in August, health and community services department.

Seasonal employees

Andrew Derosiers, department of parks and recreation; Kenneth Hoyt Jr., Leslie Smith, Jennifer Mills, James Strout Jr., Bass Park.

Promotions

Robert Gordon, full-time GSE mechanic, Bangor International Airport.

Torrey Rudge, sign technician, public works department.

On speaking peace

Peggy Smith, co-founder of the Maine Nonviolent Communication Network, invites the public to gain practical skills in authentic communication through the eight-part series, Foundations of Authentic Communication.

Based on the work of Nonviolent Communication creator Marshall Rosenberg, the course will show participants how to create more connection in daily communication and how to listen with empathy.

Foundations of Authentic Communication will meet 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 22-Dec. 1, at the Peace and Justice Center, 170 Park St.

Course participants will practice new ways of identifying and expressing needs and learn tools to stay connected to their compassionate nature.

Peggy Smith taught school in Maine for 32 years. She has studied with Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, founder of NVC and the NVC Training Institute, and with Zen teacher and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. Smith recently opened her own business, NVC for ME.

The series is open to participants of all skill levels, including those with little or no previous knowledge of NVC, and is for individuals, couples and groups seeking to improve skills in communication and conflict resolution.

Registration is required. For registration, contact Peggy Smith at 789-5299 or peggy@mainenvcnetwork.org. To learn more about Nonviolent Communication visit www.maineNVCnetwork.org.

Corinth

Gospel singer ministry

Gospel singer Dan Schall of Zelienople, Pa., will be a guest at a worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Corinth United Methodist Church, 275 Main St.

Organizers say Schall’s ministry focuses on encouragement and God’s love for man.

Eddington

Benefit supper

A spaghetti supper to benefit Nicholas Laplante and family will be held Friday, Sept. 12, Comins Hall, 1387 Main Road, Eddington. Seatings are at 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $7, $3 children.

Proceeds from the supper will aid 1-year-old Nicholas Laplante, who underwent surgery for cancer on Sept. 2 at Boston Children’s Hospital. He faces many months of chemotherapy and his mother will be unable to work during that time.

The supper will raise funds to help defray mounting medical costs.

A raffle will be held at the supper. Local businesses have donated prizes, including dining certificates from major restaurants and six-packs of lobsters. More donations are being received daily.

Those who wish may send a check to the town of Eddington with a note in the memo line saying “For Laplante Fund.” Also, donation jars are located in local stores.

Benefit auction

The North Brewer-Eddington United Methodist Church will hold a benefit auction at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, with preview hour at 1 p.m.

Auction items include an Old Town Canoe kayak package; gift certificates for tanning, hair salons, camping, golfing, restaurants, homemade items and entertainment packages; tickets to sporting events and so much more.

Proceeds will benefit the Brewer Community Service Council’s fuel assistance fund. Admission is free. For information, call Marian at 989-3762.

Historical society meeting

The Eddington Historical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the F.A. Wood Municipal Building conference room. Members are asked to note the return to the winter meeting schedule. Final photos for the 2009 calendar will be selected at the meeting. For more information, call Richard Bowden at 989-5792.

Frankfort

Book and bake sale

The Waldo Peirce Reading Room in Frankfort will hold its annual Book and Bake Sale 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at the reading room. Hardcover books will sell for 50 cents; paperbacks, 25 cents; and VHS tapes, 50 cents. Homemade baked goods will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the library.

Donations are accepted during library hours 6-8 p.m. Monday; 9-11 a.m. Tuesday; 4-8 p.m. Wednesday; 2-8 p.m. Thursday; and 9-11 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 223-4438.

Hampden

Heritage Days

Hampden Historical Society will hold its biannual Heritage Days 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Kinsley House, Main Road South. The event will offer chair caning, butter churning, blacksmithing, use of old tools, cider press and rug-braiding demonstrations.

There will be tours of the 1794 Kinsley House and the restored law office of Hannibal Hamlin, who was Lincoln’s first vice president.

Visit the old tool and barn displays. Bring the children for face painting and to see the cookie lady.

Admission is free. Food will be available for purchase.

Hermon

Hermon Garden Club

Hermon Garden Club members invite the public to join members at the first meeting of the program year at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Meet in the Annis Road parking lot of Ecotat Gardens for an autumn tour of the gardens with guide Armand O’Clair. A business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of Boulier Place Apartments on Route 2. For more information, call Sandy at 848-3619.

Square dance lessons

The Levi Rounder Square Dance Club will offer square dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Hermon Elementary School. Couples and singles from 9 to 90 are encouraged to try this fun and healthy exercise where you can burn between 200 and 400 calories during 30 minutes of dancing.

The cost for eight weeks is $25 per person for residents of Hermon, $35 others. Call the Hermon School Department at 848-4000 and sign up through the Adult Education Program.

Holden

Rural character contest

The Holden Conservation Commission invites Holden residents to participate in a contest. Submit a photo, artwork, and-or an essay that answers the question: “What do you think captures the rural character of Holden?”

The top three entries each will receive a $25 cash prize.

Entries will be collected through Friday, Oct. 31. Digital entries may be sent to sdholden2002@yahoo.com and all others mailed to the Holden Conservation Commission, 270 Main Road, Holden ME 04429. Entries must include name, age, phone number and address.

Orono

Auditions for ‘Plaza Suite’

Orono Community Theatre has announced auditions for its fall production, Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite,” directed by Tellis K. Coolong, with set and lighting design by Sandra Cyrus Lewey, costumes by Claire Bolduc and Jean Carville. Performances will be held Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7.

Auditions will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16-17, at the Keith Anderson Community House, 19 Bennoch Road. Scripts will be provided.

The play takes place in Suite 719 of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Each of the three acts presents a slice of life.

Coolong seeks up to three or four men and two or three women to fill the roles – the ambitious businessman and his devoted wife; the Hollywood producer and his small-town ex-girlfriend; and the mother and father of the bride. They’ve all made reservations in Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite.”

For more information, call 866-5065.

Orono Contradance

The high-energy AM String Band, based in Montana, will play for the Orono Contradance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Keith Anderson Community House, with Phil Locke calling.

The trio is reviving social dancing across its mountainous home state with its boot-stomping interpretation of traditional New England and Appalachian music on fiddles, viola, banjo, guitar and foot percussion. Admission is $7. Information is available at myspace.com/amstringband or e-mail amstringband@gmail.com.

Christian CD release

Susan Oliver, an Orono native, has been calling Nashville, Tenn., home for the past 20 years. Known for her country music songs and video, Susan has just released her first contemporary Christian CD, “Feather in God’s Wing.”

Oliver will present her new release at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St. Admission is free. A reception will be held afterward. For more info, contact the office at 866-3655.