The American Cancer Society is calling all cosmetologists in the Bangor area to become trained volunteers for its Look Good … Feel Better program.

Bethany Porter of the ACS office in Topsham reports that hairstylists, wig experts and estheticians are invited to a free training session from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 3, at Eastern Maine Medical Center on State Street in Bangor.

A free, community-based, national service founded by the Cosmetology, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation, the Look Good … Feel Better program helps women undergoing cancer treatment “learn to cope with the appearance-related side effects of that treatment and regain a sense of self-confidence and control over their lives.”

This training is also open to current volunteer cosmetologists who are due for recertification, and Porter says a light lunch will be provided.

Interested licensed cosmetologist should call Debbie Seybold at ACS, 373-3708, for more information or to register for the training.

For information about Look Good … Feel Better or other ACS programs, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 14, reported Amanda Stanley of Downeast Health Services, 14 spots remain for children 3-13 to receive free dental services as part of the national Give Kids A Smile Day.

That event, hosted by Maine Coast Community Dental Clinic, a program of Downeast Health Services, is Friday, Feb. 22, at the clinic, 190 Beechland Road in Ellsworth.

The clinic offers free dental services including X-rays, comprehensive exams and cleanings for children of area families who have no form of dental insurance.

Preregistration is required, and you can schedule an appointment for your child by calling 667-0293.

Give Kids a Smile was founded by the American Dental Association to raise awareness of the critical need for access to oral health care, according to a release.

The local program is sponsored by Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and Northeast Delta Dental Foundation.

If you have no plans for supper and you like to help others, you might want to attend a Benefit Haddock Fish Fry at 5 p.m. tonight, at St. Vincent DePaul Church on Franklin Street in Bucksport.

The meal of haddock, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and dessert, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, is $8 for adults, $4 for children. Proceeds will benefit the family of John and Ruth York of Orrington who lost their home to fire in January.

One of the hottest environmental topics lately is the status of bees, and Maine State Apiarist and Bee Inspector Tony Jadczak will address that very important subject when he discusses colony collapse disorder in Maine: What is Happening to our Honeybees?

Meggan Dwyer of Marine Environmental Research Institute invites the public to attend a MERI Ocean Environment Lecture beginning with a reception and wine tasting at 6 p.m., and the lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at MERI Center for Marine Studies, 55 Main St. in Blue Hill.

“As a special feature of the evening,” Dwyer e-mailed, “we will be tasting mead (honey wine) made and donated by Fred Wardwell, a member of the Tri-County Beekeepers Association.”

During this second lecture of the Ocean Environment 2008 Series, Jadczak will discuss colony collapse disorder in Maine and its impact on pollination and the local ecosystem.

Manna Ministries executive director, Bill Rae, has e-mailed the BDN that the Bangor organization is preparing to open Elijah’s House, a 10-bed men’s facility. To do so, Rae wrote for our readers, “we need your help with specific items before we can open.”

The items this facility needs include 20 sets of twin bed sheets, 12 pillows, 12 towels and 12 face cloths.

Rae emphasized that the items need to be new and white.

Your donations can be dropped off at Manna, 629 Main St., Bangor and information is available by calling 990-2870.

I extend my condolences to the families and close friends of two women who died recently, Dorothy “Dot” Blaisdell of Bangor and former Bangor resident Ellen Files.

I first met both women more than 30 years ago when I joined them as a member of the Junior League of Bangor and have always respected their commitment to their families, organizations and community.

Dot and Ellen were of the generation who set specific standards for the next to follow, and I certainly appreciated that about each of them.

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