Here’s one benefit you won’t want to miss, because admission is free! The Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon’s sixth annual benefit auction begins with a preview at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Fields Pond Audubon Center, 219 Fields Pond Road in Holden.

The preview features hors d’oeuvres and finger food, desserts, and a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The auction, with chapter president Bob Duchesne wielding the gavel, begins at 6:30 p.m.

Among the items up for bid are antique prints and furnishings from private collections; University of Maine sports, Penobscot Theatre Company and Bangor Symphony Orchestra tickets; an autographed Stephen King novel; and everything from artwork to overnight stays in hotels and traditional sporting camps.

You can view the up-to-date donations by visiting www.pvcaudubon.org.

According to information provided by chapter secretary Sandi Duchesne and center director Judy Markowsky, proceeds will help “conserve natural resources in the Bangor area, provide environmental education for thousands of schoolchildren and adults,” and enable the center to host “a year-round series of programs and field trips on Maine’s wildlife and natural habitat.”

Al Jackson of WKIT 100.3, known as eastern Maine’s classic rock station, will be broadcasting live outside Bangor Humane Society from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 693-B Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor.

Jackson told me WKIT has been doing all it can lately to help the Humane Society because of the organization’s great need for money at this time.

“We’ve been doing a weekly segment with BHS, and we do a Pet of the Week segment on the WKIT Morning Show,” he said.

He hopes lots of people attend the live broadcast to assist the shelter, and he wants you to know you have chances to win everything from New England Patriots football tickets to a Stephen King autographed book along with other prizes.

Jackson said volunteer coordinator Danielle Arbor “will be bringing in pets” for you to see and learn about, and that hundreds of pet goodie bags donated by area businesses will be offered to those who stop by the BHS during the broadcast.

“We just hope lots of people will come out and support” the Humane Society, Jackson added.

Registration for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine’s Walk for Wishes begins at 5 p.m. and the walks at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at seven Maine sites, reports Amy Theiss of Make-A-Wish.

The walk registration sites are Belfast Area High School; Fairhaven Assembly of God, Brunswick; Dennysville Congregational Church; Ellsworth Middle School; Houlton Civic Center; Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield; and the Lutheran Church on Cool Street in Waterville.

Since 1992, more than 700 Maine children have benefited from this program that grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

There is no registration fee.

Adult walkers who raise more than $100 and youth walkers raising more than $50 will receive a T-shirt.

After the walk, a wish will be granted in honor of any team raising $5,000 or more, which is the average cost of a wish.

For information, call 866-704-WALK, e-mail wishwalk@maine.wish.org, or visit www.maine.wish.org.

Speaking of Stephen King, space is limited for the next “Tommyknockers & More Bus Tour,” beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, in the Front Street parking lot next to the harbor master’s office on the Bangor Waterfront.

The tour costs $10. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau at 947-5205 or 800-91-MOOSE.

The tour, directed by Scott Levy of Penobscot Theatre Company, visits localities “that inspired many of Mr. King’s visions for his books and movies,” according to Jessica Donahue of Greater Bangor CVB and The Maine Highlands.

Anne Gabbianelli O’Reilly of Hampden, whose teenage son, Donovan O’Reilly, has the disease, reminds readers this is National Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.

Mitochondrial disease is a progressive one that affects multiple organs and for which there is no cure.

According to a release provided by MitoAction, at 10 a.m. today, throughout the world, families and friends will “Light a Light for Mito” to celebrate and support all who are affected by this disease, and in memory of those who have lost their lives to it.

MitoAction is a nonprofit organization. Its mission is “to educate and raise awareness of this disabling and progressive metabolic disease by wearing a green awareness ribbon.”

For information, visit www.MitoAction.org.

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