PORTLAND

Animal Coalition food drive

The Maine Animal Coalition will host a vegetarian food drive at its sixth annual Veg Fest to benefit the Wayside Kitchen and Food Rescue.

The event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the East End Community Center, 195 North St., is free. Donations of food and cash will be accepted to benefit the kitchen.

The shopping list includes nuts, seeds, dried fruits, juice boxes, canned vegetables, dried or canned beans and whole-grain rice. For more information, call the Maine Animal Coalition at 773-2215.

 

Reading by PHS graduate

Aruna Kenyi, a Portland High School graduate and Sudanese “Lost Boy,” will read excerpts of his work “Between Two Rivers” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Longfellow Books.

Published with support from The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing program for students ages 6 to 18, the memoir chronicles his journey from East Africa to southern Maine.

A student at the University of Maine at Farmington, Kenyi began his memoir in 2007 while completing his senior year at Portland High School.

For more information, visit www.tellingroom.org.

 

Friends of Library book sale

The Friends of Portland Public Library is holding a book sale from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday for Friends of the Portland Public Library only, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, all at the Deering High School cafeteria.

For more information, or if interested in volunteering, e-mail info@friendsofppl.org.

 

Conservatory concerts

The Portland Conservatory of Music’s seventh annual International Piano Festival will be today through June 30, at 202 Woodford St.

Each year, the conservatory brings together young pianists from Europe and the United States for a week of intensive study and performance. The week culminates with a day of student performances on Tuesday, which are free to the public.

There are other performances throughout the week for varied admission. For more information, visit www.portlandconservatory.net or call 775-3356.

 

Arts walk on Peaks Island

Peaks Island artist studios will hold an island-wide Art Walk from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Participating artists include Peg Astarita, potter; Jane Banquer, printmaker and painter; Cole Caswell, photographer; Jessica Townes George, painter; Lavendier Myers, painter; Martha E. Morris-Gibson, basketmaker; Kathleen Newell, multimedia crafts; Tim Nihoff, multimedia artists; Suzanne Parrott, fiber; Norm Proulx, painter; Kathie Schneider, photographer; Betsy Stout, jeweler; Robert Van Der Steenhoven, Diane Wiencke, painter; and Adam Daley Wilson, painter.

For more information, visit www.peaksisland-artwalks.org.

FALMOUTH

Animal author at pet store

Local author Jo Williams will be at General Store for Pets, 251 Route 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to sign copies of her new book, “Lilly the Lemon.”

The book follows the ups and downs of learning that a “healthy” puppy has some major medical challenges. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Coastal Maine Great Dane Rescue. Representatives from the rescue will be at the signing, as will Williams’ Great Dane, Hannah.

For details, contact coastaldanes@gmail.com or call the General Store for Pets at 781-4950.

 

Shelter holding bake sale

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine is hosting a bake and craft sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Wal-Mart in Falmouth. Donations of baked goods and crafts for the event are appreciated.

Proceeds will benefit the animal rescue, which is struggling from a drop in donations and adoptions, as well as an increase in expenses and the number of kittens being brought in.

For more information, call 846-4116 or visit www.hartofme.com.

NEW GLOUCESTER

Shaker Village music fest

The fifth annual Maine Festival of American Music will start today at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village on Route 26.

Guest artists include pianist Paul Posnak, soprano Christina Astrachan, the Sabbathday Lake Shakers and the Portland String Quartet.

The festival will run through Saturday. For more information about the music schedule and for a free brochure, call 926-4597.

 

Woodcarving workshop

There will be a beginner’s woodcarving workshop at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26. Norm Devonshire will demonstrate the proper use of the knife, types of cuts and knife sharpening during the workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The workshop is $40, which includes knife and wood block. To register, call 926-4597.

Strawberries and music

The 35th annual New Gloucester Strawberry Festival, sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Congregational Church Vestry, 19 Gloucester Hill Road.

Highlights include fresh native berries, shortcake with homemade biscuits and Hodgman’s frozen custard. Other attractions include live music of the Berry, Berry Good Band, a baked goods table and a sale table of town mementos and gifts.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Agency on Aging class

Southern Maine Agency on Aging is hosting “Living Well for Better Health,” a six-week program starting today.

The workshop is from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays through July 28 at the Betsy Ross House, 99 Preble St., and will help people lead a healthier life in 2010.

For more information or to sign up, call Anne Murray at 800-427-7411, ext. 529, or 396-6529.

STANDISH

Summer Spectacular events

The Standish Summer Spectacular this weekend celebrates the town’s 225th birthday, starting Friday night at Kiwanis Beach with a patriotic performance by Chandler’s Band, the nation’s second-oldest professional band, followed by a Beach Boogie hosted by “Flamin’ Raymond” and “Sizzlin’ Susan,” closing out the night with a fireworks display.

Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, there will be activities in all three villages that make up Standish – Steep Falls, Standish Corner and Sebago Lake Station. There will be a parade kicking off at 10 a.m. Saturday from Memory Lane on Blake Road, west on Route 25 and concluding at the Old Red Church on Oak Hill Road.

For details, check out the Standish Summer Spectacular’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/standishsummerspectacular.

FREEPORT

Mexicali Blues concert

Mexicali Blues is hosting its first outdoor concert Saturday.

Performers include Connor Garvey and Marie Moreshead. Garvey plays folk-funk on guitar and ukulele, while Moreshead has become known for her pop-folk songwriting accompanied by acoustic guitar.

The two will perform between 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday on the lawn by the Freeport store, 10 Bow St.

 

SCARBOROUGH

Library reading program

The Scarborough Public Library is launching its Summer Reading Program at 3 p.m. Thursday with a free performance of “Jack and the Beanstock and the Two-Headed Ogre.”

The play is presented by the Little Red Wagon, a theater troupe of the University of New England’s theater and dance department.

Children in preschool through high school are invited to participate in the summer reading program, “Make a Splash @ the Library.” They can register for the reading game and participate in the more than 20 programs and special events scheduled for all ages.

A calendar of events for the program can be downloaded by visiting the library or www.library.scarborough.me.us under “Services.”

 

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