Saco Republican Committee to meet Tuesday

The Saco Republican Republican Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Run of the Mill Restaurant, in Saco. FMI, contact Cynthia Chadwick-Granger at 450-7023.

Coffeehouse features
folk guitarist

Folk guitarist and singer/songwriter Heather Maloney will perform at the Saco Coffeehouse on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.
Maloney began her musical career performing as a jazz singer alongside Grammy nominee Hui Cox in clubs in Manhattan. Her varied musical interests – Joni Mitchell, Bobby McFerrin, Billy Holiday, Phillip Glass, Ravi Shankhar –shaped a sound that has become distinctly her own. Maloney, 23, released her debut album “Cozy Razor’s Edge” last fall.
After studying classical operatic vocals, classical Indian and jazz, she moved to the Massachusetts woods to focus on her interest in meditation. The coffeehouse is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford, 60 School St., Saco. The suggested donation is $10.

AARP seeks people
to help with taxes

AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service, is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation in northern York County and surrounding areas. Volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome; you do not need to be an AARP member nor a retiree. No prior experience in tax preparation is necessary and volunteers of all ages are welcome. Computer familiarity is necessary and it is necessary that you have your own laptop computer.
Tax counselors receive free tax training and become IRS certified by passing the IRS exam.  They help residents at tax sites in their own communities across Maine.
For more information on how to can join the AARP Tax-Aide Program, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

Grant writing, other
seminars to be offered

The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) will offer “Grant Writing 101: Basic Methods and Strategies,” a SkillBuilder presented by Lelia DeAndrade and Stacy Begin on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Saco City Hall.
 “The Building Blocks of Successful Fundraising: Building Constituencies & Cultivating Relationships,” will be presented by Raymond Mitchell on Thursday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Saco City Hall.
 “Major Gifts: Hors d’oeuvres, Wine and Money!” will be presented by Michael Barndollar on Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m.to noon at Saco City Hall.
Registration is required for all MANP SkillBuilders and full course descriptions, dates, location, and registration information are all available on the MANP Web site at www.nonprofitmaine.org/skillbuilders.asp.

Saco Museum art show
features work of teachers

The Saco Museum’s biennial student art show last year set a record for attendance while showcasing the work of local students in area public schools.  This year the Saco Museum will present “Practicing What We Preach: Work by Maine Art Teachers,” organized by the Maine Art Educators Association. The exhibition, which overlaps with National Youth Art Month in March 2010, will be on view Jan.16 through March 19. An opening reception will be Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m.
 This exhibition brings together the creative work of art educators from around the state and celebrates the studio practice and exploration that takes place beyond the classroom. This show features a variety of media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and fiber arts.  Artists represented in this show teach in Maine’s public and private schools and universities and are members of the Maine Art Educators Association, an arts advocacy organization that promotes the artistic learning of children, encourages innovation and research in art education, and the exchange of ideas and practices among teachers.
 More than 45 artists will show their work, including Debbie DiGregorio of C.K. Burns School, Saco; Diane Noble of Young and Fairfield Schools, Saco; Jodi Thomas of Thornton Academy, Saco; Judy Pulia of Saco Middle School;  and Piper Bolduc of Loranger Middle School, Old Orchard Beach.
The Saco Museum is working to develop special programs in conjunction with this exhibition, including artist talks, art-making workshop and school tours.  Contact the museum’s education and program manager, Camille Smalley, at 283-3861, ext. 115, or education@sacomuseum.org to learn more about these programs and opportunities.

Adult Education offers
free reading, writing classes

Learn English or improve reading, writing and math skills in OOB/Saco Adult Education’s free classes. Small classes provide personal attention with day and evening options. Call 934-7922 to set up an appointment with Student Services Coordinator Liis Nigol, or e-mail lnigol@rsu23.org.
Sessions begin the first Wednesday of the month from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Call 934-7922 to register or for more information on upcoming monthly orientations.
Course catalogs and an academic course schedule are available online at www.oobsaco.maineadulted.org.

Neighborhood meeting planned for South Street area

The Community Development Office for the City of Biddeford in conjunction with Christ Episcopal Church and Go Greene will hold a neighborhood meeting and dessert potluck on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. in the church basement hall on South Street.  
 Residents and property owners on South Street, Green Street, Kossuth Street, Crescent Street, Center Street, Wentworth Street, Graham Street, Jefferson Street, Elm Street and Williams Court are invited, as well as interested citizens and friends of the neighborhood.  This is the neighborhood’s first meeting and will be a forum for discussion of the pending demolition of 8, 10, and 15 Williams Court, plans for a park and possible other street improvements.  The meeting will be facilitated by Linda Waters, community development coordinator for the city of Biddeford.
 Residents will have time to voice concerns and discuss ways the neighborhood can move forward in conjunction with current activities. Others planning to attend the meeting to give input as requested include staff from various city departments, the Stone Soup Food Pantry and residents of the Bacon Street neighborhood, where revitalization efforts won an award from the National Association of Town Watch.    
Participants may bring a small dessert item to share, however some dessert and coffee will be provided. For more information, call Linda Waters at 284-9105 or e-mail lwaters@biddefordmaine.org.  

Flu cinics scheduled in Saco

HomeHealth Visiting Nurses (HHVN) will hold public clinics for both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines every Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Saco office, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco. Clinics are open to people ages 6 months and older.   HHVN will offer both traditional injection and mist vaccines.  Parental consent is required to vaccinate children younger than 18 years of age.  
HHVN accepts Medicare Part B, Anthem/Blue Cross and Aetna as payment for flu vaccines.  Insurance cards must be presented at clinics.  For those paying privately, the fees are $30 for seasonal flu shot, $10 for H1N1 shots, $10 for pediatric vaccines and $45 for pneumonia vaccine.  A sliding fee is available for those without insurance and/or financial resources.
For more information on H1N1, seasonal flu and clinic locations, visit the HHVN Web site, www.homehealth.org or call the HHVN flu shot hotline at 1-800-747-4FLU (4358).

City offers ways to shape up

Biddeford Recreation is offering several opportunities to get in shape for the new year. Fit Club for teens and adults will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon for eight weeks starting Jan. 12 in Community Center Gym. Participants work out twice weekly as a group and are weighed in weekly to track progress. Weekly prizes are given out to “the biggest loser.” The person who loses the most weight overall receives a $40 gift certificate to the recreation department. The instructor is Mandy Green and the cost is $60 per person. Register at Biddeford Recreation, 283-0841.
Line dancing for teens and adults is held Monday evenings at the Community Center Auditorium. Drop in when you can for a cost of $5. Beginners’ groups are 6 to 7:30 p.m. and experienced line dancers meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The instructor is Tina Foster.
Zumba for teens and adults is 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturdays at the Community Center Auditorium. Zumba incorporates Latin dance moves into a cardio workout.  The instructor is Mandy Green, a certified Zumba instructor, pilates instructor and personal trainer at Forever Fit. The drop-in fee is $9.
For more information, call Biddeford Recreation at 283-0841.

Students host mystery night

“Deadly Deal, “ the second annual Old Orchard Beach High School Drama Club Murder Mystery Evening will be Jan. 12 and 13 at 6:30 p.m.  The club’s fundraising performance will feature coffee and desserts, murder and mayhem, and prizes for the best amateur detective in the audience. Tickets are $10 each (includes desserts) or $50 for a reserved table for six to eight people. For more information, contact Amy Wright at awright@rsu23.org  or leave a message for her at the high school, 934-4461.

Dayton rabies clinic Saturday

A rabies clinic for dogs and cats will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Andy’s Agway on River Road in Dayton. The cost is $10 per animal ($2 from each shot will be donated to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk). Shots will be provided by veterinarian Nicole Mailhot. Pet owner are requested to bring dogs on leashes and their cats in carriers. For more information, call Andy’s Agway at 282-2998.

Republicans host candidate

The Lyman Republican Committee will host gubernatorial candidate Bruce Poliquin at its next meeting, 10 a.m. Saturday in the Community Library, Lyman. All Lyman and Dayton registered Republicans and undeclared voters are welcome to attend this meeting. For more information, call 499-2381.

Chocolate fair is Feb. 6

St. Andre Health Care will hold a chocolate fair 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 407 Pool St., Biddeford. All proceeds will support the residents’ summer vacation trip to Camp Waban.