PORTLAND

Author talk on ecology

Additional Photos

Skilled plowman J. Luther Gray and a team of draft horses demonstrate how to cut deep sod to prepare the ground for planting at the 2009 Plow Day at Skyline Farm in North Yarmouth. Skyline Farm will host a free plowing demonstration Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Leah Mahoney photo

Sandra Steingraber will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, on “The Ecology of Hope: Reflections on Parenting, Activism and the Environment.”

Steingraber is an award-winning ecologist, Cornell University professor, mother, cancer survivor, former Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year and author of “Living Downstream” and “Having Faith.” The free event is presented by the Friends School of Portland. 

Afghanistan war is topic

David Ray Griffin, retired professor of theology and the philosophy of religion and author of “The New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11. The Cover-Up and the Expose,” will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday in Talbot Auditorium in Luther Bonney Hall, University of Southern Maine, 85 Bedford St. His topic is the war in Afghanistan as it relates to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. 

WMPG bluegrass benefit

WMPG’s eighth annual Bluegrass Spectacular will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St.

Tickets are $12 and benefit WMPG, greater Portland’s community radio station, powered by volunteers and funded in large part by listener donations and support from local businesses. 

Art show at new bakery

Bomb Diggety Bakery, 649 Congress St., is opening “Grow!” from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday during First Friday Artwalk .

The collaborative show from artists at Spindleworks, Creative Trails and YES Art Works will be on display through May 28.

The reception celebrates the opening of the bakery and cafe. For more information, visit www.spindleworks.org.

SCARBOROUGH

Mended Hearts meeting

“What Touches Your Heart? What Makes It Sing?” will be the topic of the Mended Hearts meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Maine Medical Center’s Learning Resource Center, 100 Campus Drive. The meetings, the first Thursday of the month, are for heart event survivors, family and anyone interested in staying healthy. For details, visit www.mendedhearts.org or call 662-2543. 

Camp Ketcha treasures sale

Camp Ketcha is hosting a Local Treasures Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, featuring work of local artists and goods of local pack rats, to support the therapeutic youth programming at the camp.

For details, call 205-1835. 

Closest Closet shopping day

Closest Closet is hosting a free “Shop & Drop” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Bring unwanted items to drop off and shop around to see what other people brought. The event is on Coachlantern Lane East, the first driveway on the right. For more information, visit www.closestcloset.com.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Tai chi at cancer center

The Cancer Community Center has a tai chi class from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

This class continues through May 26. It is free to adults who have or have had cancer, friends and families.

There will also be a stem cell transplant informational and support group from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 12. For details, call 774-2200.

WESTBROOK

Author-lawyer to speak

Maine attorney Hugh G.E. MacMahon will speak about what he has learned compiling his book “Progress, Stability and the Struggle for Equality: A Ramble Through the Early Years of Maine Law 1820-1920” at noon Thursday at Walker Memorial Library.

His reading and research concentrated on the time period when Maine became an independent state. The event is free, and MacMahon will be available to autograph copies of his book.

FREEPORT

Wolfe’s Neck Farm event

Wolfe’s Neck Farm is sponsoring a day of fun on the farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Families can try their hands at fiber arts, explore the trails and gardens, interact with the animals and learn about seeds and sprouts. Attendees can watch for baby lambs, check the baby chicks and get close to a Belted Galloway cow.

The day will also include a plant sale, lunch and bake sale. Admission is $5 a person or $20 for a family. For more information, e-mail education@wolfesneckfarm.org.

NORTH YARMOUTH

Horses to plow Skyline

Teams of draft horses, some weighing nearly a ton, are to plow and harrow several acres of Skyline Farm’s southwestern pasture on Saturday in preparation for the 2010 growing season.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. and finish sometime in the afternoon. The farm will have refreshments for sale, and there will be a free demonstration sponsored by Skyline Farm, Deri Farm and the Farmers, Draft Horse, Mule and Pony Club of Maine. In case of rain, the event will be held May 15.

FALMOUTH

Hayman to speak at library

Author James Hayman will speak at noon Tuesday at the Friends of the Falmouth Memorial Library’s Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share.

Hayman will talk about his book “The Cutting” and his next book in the series. These mystery-thrillers take place in and around Portland. For details, visit www.falmouth.lib.me.us or call 781-2351.

BRUNSWICK

Septet to celebrate Ellington

In celebration of Duke Ellington’s birthday, as well as Jazz Appreciation Month, the Novel Jazz Septet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Frontier Cafe Cinema and Gallery.

The concert features the works of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two pillars of the jazz world. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door. To purchase tickets, call 725-5222.

WINDHAM

Electronics recycling event

Windham Hill United Church of Christ is sponsoring an electronic equipment recycling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Windham Mall off Route 302. Items that will be accepted for recycling include television sets, computer monitors, cordless phones, VCRs, DVDs and audio equipment, but no household appliances. For more information, call 653-5989.

Marketing specialty foods

University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Windham/Raymond Adult Education are sponsoring “Cashing in on Value Added Opportunities” from 6 to 9 p.m. May 13.

This workshop is part of the “Recipe to Market” series and will discuss taking specialty food products to market. The cost is $25, with scholarships available. Registration is due Friday. For details, call (800) 287-1471.

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