Artist seeks glass for sculpture at mill

Nationally recognized sculptor and Biddeford native Celeste Roberge is seeking 300 pieces of colorless cut or pressed glass for her installation sculpture, “What I Saw on the Glacier,” to be presented at North Dam Mill April 3 through June 13 as part of the 2010 Mill-ennial exhibition organized by the Saco Museum.
Those who want to donate a piece or pieces of glass to the one-of-a-kind work of art may deliver their contribution to the Saco Museum, 371 Main St., Saco, during regular museum hours.

Thornton orchestras take listeners to movies
 
The Thornton Academy concert and symphony orchestras will present their first “Night at the Movies” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in Garland Auditorium. The orchestra will perform selections from classic and contemporary movies while the audience watches highlights from the films. Movie selections include: “The Wizard of Oz,” “James Bond,” “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and others. Admission is $5, and concessions will be offered for purchase at intermission.  The performance will be directed by Anne Wilkinson and Jennifer Witherell-Stebbins with technical support from David Hanright.
 
Council of churches plans teen conference

The Maine Council of Churches will offer a one-day conference in Saco for teens to explore issues of environmental and economic justice through the moral lens of their faith.
The conference, which will be led by students from the council’s member denominations, will be held during spring school vacation week on April 22.
Those interested in learning more about this conference, which is open to the public, may call 772-1918 or visit www.mainecouncilofchurches.org.

Wine-tasting event hosted by camp

Camp Laughing Loon will hold its second annual Winter Wine Tasting Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 352 North St., Saco.
The evening will include light hors d’oeuvres and a variety of wines from around the world. Music will be provided by Kids at Play, a Maine-based duo. Tickets may be purchased from any Camp Laughing Loon board member, at Madden Beverage & Redemption, 335 North St. in Saco or by calling call Chris Libby 608-1672. Discount rates are offered for those who want to stay at the Holiday Inn.
To learn more about the camp, visit www.camplaughingloon.com.

Fiddler and singer at Saco Coffeehouse
 
Fiddler and folk singer Lissa Schneckenburger will be featured Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Saco Coffeehouse.  The evening begins with open mic at 7 p.m. and Schneckenburger performs at 8 p.m.
Raised in a small town in Maine, she began fiddling at age 6. She studied with Maine fiddler Greg Boardman and sat in with the Maine Country Dance Orchestra. In high school she played concerts on her own, specializing in New England dance tunes that combine influences from the British Isles and Quebec with homegrown twists that have been evolving since Colonial days. At fiddle “camp” she had a chance to play with and learn from noted Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. She graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2001 with a degree in contemporary improvisation.
She now performs across the U.S. and around the world, and has recorded seven CDs.
The Coffeehouse is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford, 60 School St., Saco. Suggested donation is $10. For additional information about the 2010 Saco Coffeehouse performance schedule or directions visit www.sacocoffeehouse.com, e-mail info@sacocoffeehouse.com or call 282-0062.

Museum plans panel with artists

The Saco Museum will host a panel discussion at 6 p.m. Friday with five artists whose work is exhibited in the current museum show “Practicing What We Preach.” The talk will cover exhibited art, artists’ inspirations and techniques. Visitors are invited to come early to view the show and visit with the artists.

New adults classes added

Old Orchard Beach and Saco Adult Education is offering several new classes. They include:
Substitute Teacher Training Certificate Program, Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30 to 8 p.m., March 29 to April 29, $79.
Antiques and Collectibles: What’s it Worth?, 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 23, $14.
Excel Spreadsheet Basics-Winter, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 24 to March 17, $79. 
Travel Light for Less, 6 to 9 p.m., March 25, $25.
Free GED orientation session starting March 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on the first three Wednesdays of the month at Saco Learning Center, 80 Common St.
Personal Support Specialist free information session, 3 to 5 p.m., Monday, April 6, Saco Learning Center, 80 Common St.
For more information, call 934-7922, e-mail adultedinfo@rsu23.org, or visit: www.oobsaco.maineadulted.org.

Culinary trip planned for Feb. 26

The Saco Parks and Recreation Department will host a trip for adults and seniors on Feb. 26 to a lunch buffet prepared by culinary arts students at Southern Maine Community College. The trip will be limited to 20 people. Transportation will leave at 11 a.m. from the Saco Community Center and return around 2 p.m.  The cost is $16 per person. For more information call 283-3139.

Free hockey program offered

The Maine Hockey Group LLC and Portland Junior Pirates will hold a final session of Portland Junior Pirates Little Crackers programs beginning next Wednesday. Maine Hockey Group and Ice-Time Charitable Endowment are offering the 2010 Little Crackers programs for free.
Registration is now open for the final winter session. Classes will be taught over four six-week sessions, and advancement to the next level will be dependent on skill development and attendance. Space is limited. Contact Carmen Roy at 283-1900, ext. 103 or e-mail her at Carmen@MaineHockeyGroup.com for registration information.

Green Party caucus is Feb. 21

The Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach and Saco Green Party caucus will be 1 p.m., Feb. 21, at J. Richard Martin Community Center, 189 Alfred St., Biddeford. For more information, contact Jacqui Deveneau by e-mail at jacquio50@yahoo.com or 934-1911.

Lincoln Day dinner planned

The York County Republican Committee will host its annual Lincoln Day dinner to honor Abraham Lincoln Feb. 25 at Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane in Ogunquit. The event begins with a cash bar and social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
The main speaker will be Richard Bennett, Republican National Committeeman for Maine. Bennett served in both the Maine House and Senate, was chairman of the Maine Republican State Convention, was appointed to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, and is a fellow with the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program.
Gubernatorial candidates Steve Abbott, William Beardsley, Matt Jacobson, Paul LePage, Peter Mills, Les Otten and Bruce Poliquin will have an opportunity to address attendees.
Tickets are $40 per person, and reservations must be made by Friday. Call Betty Turney, 282-6231, or Marie Doucette, 284-7032, for reservations.

York Democrats to meet Feb. 18

The York County Democratic Committee will meet Feb. 18 at Alfred Parish Church on Alfred Village Square on Route 202/4. Social time begins at 6 p.m. and program begins at 7 p.m. The speaker will be Pat McGowan, Democratic candidate for governor. For more information e-mail Dave Schofield at djschofield@gmail.com or call 251-3771.

Internet class starts next week

Biddeford Adult Education will offer a computer class, Learning the Internet II, Tuesday and Thursday next week from 1 to 4 p.m. in the adult education computer lab. Fee is $30 for Biddeford residents and $40 for non-residents. Preregistration is required by calling Debbie or Stephanie at 282-5005.

Firefighters host comedy shows

Biddeford Career Firefighters present its annual Night of Laughs comedy shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday in the Biddeford Middle School Performing Arts Center, 335 Hill St. Scheduled to appear are Rob Steen, who has appeared with David Letterman, Jay Leno and on Sirius Radio, as well as Mitch Stinson and Mike Donovan. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the first show. Tickets will be available at the door for a suggested $10 donation. For more information, e-mail alex@ecmgevents.com.

School plans Haiti fundraiser

CK Burns School in Saco will raise money for Haiti today with its Hats for Haiti day, an idea from Mrs. Turner’s fourth-grade class. On that day, all students of CK Burns may pay $1 to wear a hat to support the rebuilding of Haiti. The school also will accept donations from the community through Friday. All proceeds will go to UNICEF.

Exercise program begins

A health and wellness exercise program will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays at J. Richard Martin Community Center gymnasium. The first class, taught be an instructor from Saco Sport and Fitness, will be free. All classes after the first will be $4 per class.


Leadership skills seminar set

Training for high-school students and adults interested in learning more about leadership, communication skills and how to work together to create positive change in their communities will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at People’s Choice Credit Union in Saco.
The session, Partnering for Change: Creating Successful Youth Adult Partnerships, costs $60 for adults and $15 for youth. It is sponsored by Maine Youth Action Network.
For more information, contact Corie Washow at cwashow@propeople.org or 553-5916.

Saco GOP caucus is Feb. 20

Saco Republicans will caucus at Saco City Hall on Feb. 20.  Doors will open at 10 a.m. for registration. Unenrolled residents are invited to register in the Republican Party as well as those who want to change party affiliation.  Doors will close at 10:30 when the caucus will be called to order.
The program will offer presentations by local candidates for the Maine House and Senate and will request nominations for delegates to the State Republican Convention, to be held May 7 and 8 in Portland.
Attendees also will vote for officers of the Saco Republican Committee to serve two-year terms beginning in March. The chair will also entertain nominations for representatives to the York County Committee ask for volunteers to work at the polls. 

OOB Republicans caucus Feb. 20

The Old Orchard Beach Republicans will caucus at 9:30 on Feb. 20 in the town council chambers of the Old Orchard Beach Town Hall.
The purpose of the caucus is to elect delegates and alternates to the state convention, elect members of the York County Republican Committee and elect new officers to the Old Orchard Beach Republican Committee.  All Old Orchard Beach and Ocean Park Republicans are urged to attend the event.
The state convention will be held in Portland on May 7 and 8.

Poetry recitation next week

The Maine Arts Commission will host the southern Maine Poetry Out Loud next Thursday at Biddeford City Theatre. Doors will open at 2:45 pm. Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation for high school students.
 The winner of each state-hosted contest heads to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national title.

Senator’s staff holds office hours

Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ staff will hold office hours 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Saco Town Hall, 300 Main St.
Staff assistant Jamie Brennan will be provide assistance with federal issues and agencies, such as Social Security, veterans’ affairs and citizenship and immigration. No appointment is necessary.