Calendar

IN THE WEEKS AHEAD...

ART, EXHIBITS, MUSIC, THEATRE

Holiday Events at the York Senior Center this year will conclude with New Year's entertainment at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 29.

The Irish Show, Inc. will begin rehearsals on Jan. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish Hall on Chestnut Street in Dover, N.H., for residents throughout the area. The Irish Show is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the ideals of heritage, culture and community. Past shows have included various aspects of the history of Dover and surrounding areas, and their Irish communities. Performers, stage help and musicians are still needed, especially voices for the chorus. The show will take place at Dover High School on March 24 at 7 pm. FMI: call Show Director Mary Gail Duffy at (603) 742-6010 or Board Officer Val Gillen at (603) 742-3215. Ticket sales will be announced after the New Year.

Kathleen Grammer in Concert. Kathleen Grammar, mezzo-soprano, and Chiharu Naruse, piano, will perform the music of Schumann, Quilter and Hundley for the Portland Conservatory's noonday concert on Jan. 18 at 12:15 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. Concerts are free and open to the public. FMI: 775-3356.

The Music Hall Presents Four Golden Globe Best Motion Picture Nominees. The films include "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Departed," "Babel" and "The Queen." Show times include Dec. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. for "Little Miss Sunshine," Dec. 29 and 30 and Jan. 1 through 4 at 7:30 p.m. for "The Departed," Jan. 15 through 17 at 7:30 p.m. for "Babel" and Jan. 28 through Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. for "The Queen." Tickets are $8 and can be purchased 30 minutes before each screening at The Music Hall Box Office, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, N.H., by phone at (603) 436-2400 or online at www.themusichall.org.

Nubble Lighthouse Keepers Square Dance Club, a tax-free organization serving the Kennebunk to Portsmouth area, announces its winter schedule. Singles, couples and families are welcome. Classes continue Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 15, 22, 29, and May 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All dances held at the Wells Activity Center, Sanford Road/Route 109 off Route 1 in Wells. The center has wooden floors and is air conditioned. Wear soft-soled shoes, please. FMI: call 985-8521, 641-9954 or 363-2774.

Portland String Quartet's first noonday concert for 2007 will take place on Jan. 11 at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. Concerts are free and open to the public. FMI: 775-3356.

Seacoast Community Chorus will present its annual winter concerts at 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 at St. Joseph's Church, Central Avenue, Dover, N.H., and at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the First Parish Church in York. This year's concert, "Songs for the New Year," includes works by Mendelssohn and Vaughan Williams. The featured work is Handel's "Utrecht Jubilate," which was first performed at St. Paul's Cathedral on July 7, 1713. Now in its 37th year, the chorus is a 60-member non-auditioned, mixed voice group under the direction of Wendell S. Purrington. New members are always welcomed. The requested donation for the concert is $10. FMI: 475-2159.

Writers on a New England Stage: Anita Diamant will be presented by The Music Hall and N.H. Public Radio on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Diamant is the bestselling author of "The Red Tent" and "The Last Days of Dogtown." Plan to come with your book club and enter a drawing to meet the author backstage after the show. Tickets are moving quickly as the event has gained popularity among book clubs throughout the Seacoast. The evening program begins with a presentation by the author followed by an interview with National Public Radio reporter Laura Knoy. Live music throughout will be performed by the award-winning band Dreadnaught. The live show will be rebroadcast on New Hampshire Public Radio. Tickets are $12 ($10 for members of The Music Hall and NHPR). To enter the drawing for backstage passes, book clubs should first purchase their tickets through the box office and then have a representative email mtalcott@themusichall.org. The drawing for backstage passes is Jan. 11 and the winning book club will be contacted via email that day. FMI: (603) 436-2400.

York Public Library Film Festival begins Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. The first film in this winter's four-film series is "Songcatcher." A Sundance Film Festival award winner, this film was shot in the North Carolina mountains. "Songcatcher" is a film about understanding culture and people through the beauty of music and the poetry of song. FMI: 363-2818.

ENRICHMENT

Bisson Barcelona Author Seminar Series, "So you have written a book - big deal!" presented by John and Nancy Grossman of Back Channel Press, will be held Jan. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This seminar addresses the definitions and differences between print-on-demand, self-publication, subsidized and traditional publishing. Participants will learn how to avoid pitfalls and save hundreds of dollars on self-publishing, how to avoid costly editing and author correction fees, how to asses the marketability of a project, how to define the target market of a book and how to maximize the profit potential of a project. Registration is $35; options for six- or 12-month packages are available at a discount. FMI: (603) 664-5776 or www.bissonbarcelona.com

Wells-Ogunquit CSD Substitute Teacher Training will be held Jan. 8. Anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher in the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District is invited to participate in the training workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn the basics of successful substituting. Wells Junior High School Assistant Principal Johanna Reinke will lead the workshop. She has been training substitutes for the school district since 1998. The training is sponsored by Wells-Ogunquit Adult Community Education and will be held at Wells High School. FMI or to register, call 646-4565.

Winter 2007 Community Art Classes at Heartwood College of Art will begin Jan. 15. Looking for the perfect gift for the artist in your life or going to make a New Year's Resolution to take an art class? Heartwood College of Art is currently enrolling students for classes including watercolor, photography, jewelry and metalsmithing, ceramics, pastels, glass beads, drawing into painting and Raku ceramics, which uses a Japanese firing technique which translates as "beauty by chance." FMI: call Heartwood College of Art at 985-0985 or visit www.heartwoodcollegeofart.org.

York Adult and Community Education "Imagine York Future" workshops feature different career exploration and college planning topics geared toward the needs of adults and non-traditional learners. Upcoming workshops include "Is there Life after Graduation?" on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. with recent York Adult and Community Education graduates, and York County Community College Info Night on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m., featuring an admissions representative from YCCC. All events will be held at York Middle School unless otherwise noted. There is no cost to attend. FMI: 363-7922.

York radKIDS 2007 Personal Empowerment Safety Education Course, sponsored by Compassion 4 Children, will be offered free of charge, from 3 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 9 through 30 and Feb. 6 and 13 for children ages 8 to 12. The core elements of the radKIDS curriculum include home safety, school safety/bullying prevention, out-and-about safety, vehicle safety, stranger tricks, personal safety and self-realization of personal power. Classes will be held at Coastal Ridge Elementary School, and participants will receive a 50-plus page safety manual, radKIDS Activity Book, radKIDS T-shirt and more. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. York radKIDS registrations forms can be downloaded from www.compassion4children.org or one can be mailed to you upon request. Return forms to Compassion 4 Children, P.O. Box 750, York, ME 03909. Compassion 4 Children is a 501© 3 non-profit organization. FMI: call Suzanne Cyr at 361-4313.

Winter Session Community Art Classes begin Jan. 15 at Heartwood College of Art and enrollment is now underway. Classes include watercolor, photography, jewelry and metalsmithing, ceramics, pastel, glass beads, drawing into painting and Raku. FMI: 985-0985 or www.heartwoodcollegeofart.org.

EVENTS

Author's Talk, featuring local author Neil Rolde, will be held at the York Public Library on Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. Rolde will discuss his new book, "Continental Liar from the State of Maine: James G. Blaine," the first full-fledged biography of James G. Blaine in 75 years. A former Maine politician himself, Rolde is a prize-winning historian and the author of "Unsettled Past, Unsettled Future: The Story of Maine Indians;" "The Interrupted Forest: A History of Maine's Wildlands;" "Maine, Down East and Different" and many other books. FMI: 363-2818.

Healthy Weight for Life, presented by Dr. Chris Molda, is a free introductory Transitions Lifestyle Systems seminar at his office in York at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 2. The Transitions Lifestyle System was developed by Sr. Shari Lieberman, a clinical nutritionist and author of "Dare to Lose." The seminar will cover low glycemic eating, exercise, stress reduction and supplementation. Transition classes will begin the following week on Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. FMI: 363-5656.

Lights to Remember is being offered by Hospice of York as an opportunity to participate in the visible symbol of remembrance of loved ones during the holiday season. The gift of $5 will place a light on the Lights to Remember tree in honor of a living person or to memorialize a loved one no longer with you. There are trees located in Wells, Ogunquit, York, Kittery, Eliot and South Berwick, and they will be lit from Dec. 1 through 31. Upon request an acknowledgment will be sent to those honored or the families of those memorialized. Requests will be accepted throughout the month of December. Simply send $5 per light with your name and address, the name of the individual(s) you wish to purchase a light for and, if wanted, the name and address to receive an acknowledgment to Hospice of York, 15 Hospital Drive, York, ME 03909.

Partnership for Healthy Aging presents its workshop to help those caring for older family members or friends on Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Maine Medical Center Geriatric Center, 66 Bramhall St., Portland. This four-part course provides information necessary to understand your options and begin a conversation before a crisis occurs. Each session is held once per week and lasts two hours. The cost of the program is $20 for the series, and includes Guidebook for the Caregiving Journey. Advanced registration is required. FMI: 775-1095.

Second Annual Preschool Age Fair at the York Public Library will be held on Jan. 27 from 10a.m. to noon with enrichment programs designed with your preschooler in mind! The fair will feature exhibits, hands-on activities, wonderful raffle prizes and more. FMI: 363-2818 or smorosoff@maine.rr.com.

Tidewater Presents Internationally Known Educational Consultant Eugene Schwartz. As a child, were you good in art but bad in math? Did you spend more time exploring the outdoors then you did reading books? In 1983 Harvard educational professor, Dr. Howard Gardner, published "Frames of Mind," where he introduced the theory of multiple intelligences. This revolutionary study proposed that there are eight clear forms of intelligence - all of which cannot be measured by a standard IQ test. Schwartz will lecture on how multiple intelligences, along with the Waldorf approach to education, have the ability to teach students through eight potential pathways - reaching those considered to be underachievers or having ADD. The lecture will take place on Jan. 25 at the Eliot Grange from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The cost is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. FMI or to make a reservation, call 439-7911.

ONGOING...

ART, DANCE, EXHIBITS, MUSIC, THEATRE

Cirque Dreams: JUNGLE FANTASY will appear at The Music Hall in downtown, Portsmouth, N.H., on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $48 to $20 and can be purchased at The Music Hall box office, by photo at (603) 436-2400 or online at www.themusichall.org.

Just Us Chickens Artist Co-op is located at 29 Government St. in downtown Kittery and is open 11a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Pontine Theatre in Portsmouth, N.H., offers an array of public events. FMI: (603) 436-6660 or e-mail info@pontine.org.

The Portland Museum of Art offers exhibits and special events. FMI: 775-6148.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Catapult is the Seacoast's first networking group specifically dedicated to young professionals. Catapult is a nonprofit organization, and membership is free. FMI: www.catapultseacoast.org.

Charlie Brown Wildcat Cards are now on sale at York House of Pizza, Norma's and the York Schools. The cards are $5 each, providing discounts at Anthony's, AutoSpa, Bagel Basket, Berger's Bike Shop, Chase Forms, Dunkin' Donuts, Eldredge Hardware, KFC, LaStalla/Sawtooth Tavern, Lobster Cove, Norma's, Rick's, Ruby's, The Stolen Menu Café, Stop 'n Go Video, Subway, Side Trax DJ, Village Scoop, Wildcat Pizza, York Hospital, York House of Pizza and Yummies. All proceeds support Project Graduation and other chemical free activities for York's youth, sponsored by YORKWISE - York Organization Receiving Knowledge Wisdom Information on Substance Education.

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women, a nationally known non-profit organization, is looking for volunteers to assist victims of intimate partner violence. Volunteers are needed to cover the organization's toll-free crisis line and ull training is offered. You may answer calls right from your home on weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The training is 40 hours and will consist of online and teleconferencing sessions. Volunteers must have access to a computer with an Internet connection. FMI: call (866) 786-0758 or e-mail communityresourcecoord@dahmw.org.

Home Schooling Club A La Carte offers a chance to meet, socialize, have fun and take field trips with others from the community who home school just like you! Attend all of the activities or simply pick and choose from the calendar of events and activities. No commitment is required and all home schooled children are welcome to attend with their families. December events conclude Dec. 29 with a visit to the top of Mount Agamenticus at 1 p.m. for loads of outside fresh-air fun. Enjoy some great sledding and tubing, build a snow fort or have a snowball fight - if we have snow, or go for a nature hike, track for wildlife, enjoy some bird watching, soak in the breathtaking scenery. Bring your own sleds, tubes and outdoor games, and hot cocoa will be provided. January events include, on Jan. 5, visit York Hospital for the very first "Parade of Balloons" where the club will spread some cheer by giving out balloons, visiting with patients and experiencing humanity in its finest form! This is the first event in a new monthly Community Service Program entitled House Calls. On Jan. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., tour York Town Hall with Town Assessor Rick Mace as our guide. We'll learn about taxes, voting, planning and assessing, and even make our own maps utilizing the GIS Mapping System. On Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m., meet at the York Public Library in the Children's Room for game time galore and a special monthly birthday celebration. Bring your favorite games from home or use the library's computers for online gaming fun. On Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. join us at Barnes & Noble in Newington, N.H., for a magazine-making workshop presented by the owners of Moo Cow Magazine with a Japanese theme. On Jan. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m., it's Mount A Day for loads of outside fresh air fun with sledding and tubing, building snow forts and more. Enjoy a nature hike, track wildlife, bird watch and enjoy all the natural beauty of this precious resource. Bring your own sleds, tubes and any outside games, and hot cocoa will be provided. FMI and to register your children for these events, call Janalee at 361-2116 or e-mail janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com.

York Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Grant House, Route 1, York, at 7 p.m. and all are welcome. FMI: 363-7382.

ENRICHMENT

1, 2, 3 Play at the Family Resource Center on Route 1 at the York-Kittery town line is a program for children three and under from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays. This is a hands-on, active age and so is this group. FMI: 451-9291 or www.connectingfamiliestogether.org

Daddy and Meis a dynamic, monthly program is held exclusively for fathers with young children ages birth to eight years the Family Resource Center on Route 1 at the York-Kittery town line Please call the center by the first of each month to register for this unique program. FMI: 451-9291 or www.connectingfamiliestogether.org

The Family Resource Center on Route 1 offers many special programs, classes and activities throughout the year. FMI: 451-9291 or www.connectingfamiliestogether.org.

Heartwood College of Art offers an array of classes. FMI call Heartwood College of Art at 985-0985 or visit www.heartwoodcollegeofart.org.

Holiday Art lets you create your own ornaments and gifts for someone special at the Family Resource Center on Route 1 at the York-Kittery town line. FMI: 451-9291 or www.connectingfamiliestogether.org.

Kindergym is offered by York Parks and Recreation Department and no pre-registration is required. The cost is $4 per child/$6 per family per visit. Kindergym is held at Blueberry Hill on Route 1 on Friday mornings from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. This program is ongoing. FMI: 363-1040.

Music and Movement, a monthly program for children ages 2 to 6, meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Children's Room at the York Public Library. This free parent-child class, held from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and taught by Michelle Franey of South Berwick, will focus on developing both musical and social skills, with emphasis on moving to the beat and learning traditional songs. FMI: 363-2818.

Play and Grow, a free multi-age playgroup, meets on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Family Resource Center on Route 1 at the York-Kittery town line. FMI: 451-9291.

Talk-A Bye Baby at the Family Resource Center on Route 1 at the York-Kittery town line meets Wednesdays for parents with babies up to one year old that meets from 11:30a.m to 1 p.m. FMI: 451-9291 or www.connectingfamiliestogether.org

York Public Library Weekly Children's Programs include Miss Kate's Infant Lap, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Story Time, Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., and Toddler Story Time, Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Monthly programs for children and parents include Making Music Monthly, the first Wednesday of each month from 10:15 to10:45 a.m.; Tactile Toddler Time, the second Tuesday of each month from 10:15 to10:45 a.m.; Babies, Boppies and Books, the second Thursday of each month from 10:15 to 11 a.m., and Art by the Pond, the third Tuesday of each month, from 10:15 to 11 a.m. FMI: 363-2818.

HEALTH

NIA at Yoga on York is offered every Tuesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. NIA is a fitness fusion exercise class that blends dance arts and martial arts together with fabulous music for a great workout. No dance experience necessary is necessary. NIA is easy to follow and appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. Come give NIA a try. Your first class is FREE. It is pure joy and health in motion. "Through Movement We Find Health." FMI: call 363-YOGA or visit www.yogaonyork.com.

York Hospital's Yoga Center at the Heart Health Institute offers yoga classes for all abilities. Seated yoga for those with limited mobility is offered as well. Instructor Sundie Gentry is one of only eight yoga instructors in the state to be credentialed and certified by the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States. For new participants, the first class is free. For class times and registration, call 351-3700.

PUBLIC MEALS

Coffee Shop at the Wells-Ogunquit Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., serving regular or decaf coffee, pastries, Congdon's and Dunkin' Donuts, and their own blueberry muffins for $1.50. Thursday's Coffee Club occasionally has a guest speaker.

SUPPORT

Hospice of York's Living with Loss weekly bereavement support group is free of charge, and you need not have had a loved one serviced by Hospice. Hospice of York encourages pre-registration; however, you may attend any or all of the classes as you see fit. The winter session is set to begin Jan. 4. All sessions are held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement conference room of Medical Office Building 16 on the grounds of York Hospital. Sessions run nearly continuously through the spring. FMI: call 363-7000.

A Safe Place, a non-profit agency, has been providing support services and emergency shelter to victims of domestic abuse for over 28 years. A Safe Place has offices in Portsmouth, Rochester and Salem, N.H. FMI or to reach an advocate call 1-(800) 854-3552.

The York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group, which meets the third Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Ellis Conference Room at York Hospital, welcomes new members. Those who attend survivor groups cope better, heal more quickly and live longer. New members, whether or not their treatment was at York Hospital, are invited to come to the meetings and be with women who share their story. Friends are welcome too. During these meetings the members share information, coping tips and strategies, explore complimentary therapies, hear guest speakers, support each other, experience sisterhood, plan the Annual Walk for Hope and celebrate living.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program is seeking volunteer drives to offer cancer patients safe and friendly transportation to treatment appointments. More than 7,000 Maine residents are living with cancer every day. Because of advances in medical research, there will be cures for many. Lack of transportation, though, may leave some of these cancer patients with few options for completing their treatment schedules. The American Cancer Society is now recruiting volunteers in York County to ensure that all cancer patients have transportation when they need it. FMI: (800) ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.

Home Schooling Club Seeks Community Support. Do you own a business in town, a special talent, an interesting job or a wealth of information that you're interested in sharing about any subject? Could you spare a few hours and enlighten some really great kids who'd love to take a tour of your business, learn a new talent, learn about your job, listen to your insight and experience what you have to offer? The Home Schooling Club of York would love to hear from you so we can schedule a time and place to make it all happen! FMI: 361-2116.

Support Victims of Domestic Violence by collecting old cell phones and ink jet cartridges and mailing them to the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women free of charge. The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women provides crisis intervention and support services to all victims of domestic violence and their families. Proceeds from this program will help the organization continue to provide services as well as support the 24-hour hotline. Contact Regional Coordinator Jan Brown at (866) 786-0758 or dahmwdirector@gmail.com for program details.

Volunteer Reiki Practitioners are being sought by York Hospital to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. York Hospital is looking for Level II Reiki practitioners to provide Reiki services to oncology patients. FMI: please contact Roberta Sullivan in the Volunteer Office at 351-2224 or rsullivan@yorkhospital.com.

WORSHIP SERVICES

Baha'i Faith holds Sunday morning devotional meetings and fellowship. FMI: 363-4591 or 361-1722.

Cape Neddick Baptist Church's Sunday school is at 9 a.m. for all ages; 10:15 a.m. for worship service and junior church, nursery for toddlers. Tuesday is Women's Home Bible Study from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer Service is at 7 p.m. FMI: 363-3566 or www.cape-neddick-baptist.org.

First Parish Congregational Church's worship services are at 9 and 10:45 a.m. FMI: call 363-3758 or www.firstparishyork.org

Ogunquit Baptist Church's Sunday service is at 9:30 a.m. FMI: 646-2160.

St. Christopher's Catholic Church holds Masses on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 and 11 a.m. FMI: Rose Cronin at 363-4177 and leave name and number for a return call.

St. George's Episcopal Church's schedule is Sunday at 7:45 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, spoken; 9 a.m. for Family Eucharist service; 9:45 a.m. for church school; 10 a.m. for spiritual formation for adults, and 11 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with music. Tuesday at 9 a.m. is silent prayer; 9:15 a.m. is Morning Prayer. Thursday at 10 a.m. is Holy Eucharist, with healing optional. Christmas season schedule of special services includes Epiphany on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. FMI: e-mail office@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org or visit www.stgeorgesyorkharbor.org.

Union Congregational Church offers weekly worship services. All are welcome. FMI: 363-4821.

United Methodist of York/Ogunquit worship and Sunday school are at 10:30 a.m. Fellowship and coffee hour follow the service, with nursery provided during the service. FMI: 363-2749.

York Street Baptist Church's Sunday Worship Service is at 9 a.m. with fellowship time in the gym at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school for all ages is at 10:45 a.m. Evening service is at 6 p.m. AWANA Youth Program is at 5 p.m., October through April. FMI: 363-2177.


Visit www.maine.info for more on upcoming festivals and events