You read in our paper Wednesday about local efforts to help the millions of people affected by the recent tsunamis that devastated 10 countries.

Ric Tyler and his wife, Elizabeth Sutherland, owners of Blue Paper Communications in Bangor, are among the local businesses encouraging community members to help with the disaster relief effort in the affected area.

“Everyone is horrified at the growing number of deaths,” Tyler wrote.

With the death toll expected to exceed 150,000, “the World Health Organization fears just as many people may die from diseases brought about by this tragic event. Survivors face the most difficult moments of their lives,” he added.

But, Tyler believes, “with the help of our local and surrounding business community, even we can make a difference.”

Now through Wednesday, Jan. 12, BPC is asking businesses, employees and community members to bring returnable cans and bottles to work.

“BPC will coordinate the pickup and redemption of the returnables and turn over all proceeds to the Red Cross International Relief Fund, the most secure and direct way to help the people in the areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis,” Tyler wrote.

To obtain Tsunami Relief Bottle Drive information packets, or to schedule pickups, call BPC, 941-9888; fax 941-9889 or e-mail tsunami@bluepaper.biz.

If your workplace is not participating in the Tsunami Relief Bottle Drive, you can take your returnables to Big Red Redemption Center, off Main Street, at 12 Parker St. in Bangor.

Tyler reminds you to inform employees at Big Red that your “bottles and cans are for the Tsunami Relief Fund.”

Returnables can also be left at BPC, Suite 100, 257 Harlow St., Bangor; Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, 519 Main St., Bangor; or Airline Pharmacy, 405 North Brewer Shopping Plaza.

Tyler reminds you that “raising money isn’t something only rock stars can do. You can, too. Collect your returnables and help out, today.”

Bangor High School choral director George Redman reports that today through Saturday, 76 students from 38 Maine schools are participating in the Maine All-State Jazz Festival at BHS.

Last fall, these musicians successfully auditioned for the festival, which is sponsored by the Maine Music Educators Association.

Cassandra Morgan of Belmont (Mass.) High School will conduct the 24-member Jazz Choir, which includes singers from BHS, Hampden Academy and John Bapst Memorial and Brewer high schools.

John Cooper of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor will conduct the Honors Combo; Graham Breedlove, trumpet soloist with the Army Blues, will conduct the Honors Jazz Band and Trent Austin will direct the Jazz Band.

The Maine All-State Jazz Festival Concert is 2 p.m. Saturday in Peakes Auditorium at BHS on Broadway.

Tickets at the door are $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and a $15 limit for families.

Are you a young musician with much promise and high aspirations?

If so, the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra would like to meet you!

Kathy Bailey, president of BSYO, wrote that auditions are being conducted for the coming session beginning at 12:30 p.m. Sunday in Room 100 of the Class of ’44 Hall on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

“We are looking for advanced middle-school and high-school level string players,” Bailey wrote, “along with selected winds, for our orchestra.”

She explained members of the BSYO meet for approximately eight weeks from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday afternoons, starting Jan. 9, and conclude their session with a March concert.

Bailey requests that anyone interested in auditioning contact her by e-mail at katmom54@yahoo.com.

Anyone planning to attend the annual meeting and recognition dinner of The Curran Homestead needs to make reservations by Monday, Jan. 10.

That meeting, which is open to the public, is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Oriental Jade Restaurant on Bangor Mall Boulevard.

Sponsored by Bangor Letter Shop, there is no charge for The Curran Homestead members who have paid their 2005 dues in advance or who pay their dues at the door.

There is also no charge for donors and honored guests.

Admission for all others planning to attend is $15 for adults and $7 for children.

To make your reservations, call Carroll Adams, 989-2430; Irv Marsters, 945-9311; fax 942-9914 or e-mail irv@Bangor

lettershop.com.

During the meeting, Wayne Killam will present a brief photo show, “The Year in Review.”

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