We welcome community groups to list their special events in Calendar. Items should be submitted two weeks in advance. Send them to: Calendar Editor, The Times Record, 3 Business Parkway, Suite 1, Brunswick, ME 04011; or e-mail, calendar@timesrecord.com. Include name and phone number.

Tue/31

HOLIDAY

CHOCOLATE CHURCH DANCE PARTY, 8 p.m. – midnight. Live bands, dance performance, refreshments, champagne toast, cash bar. Benefit for the Chocolate Church. $25, available by phone 442-8455.

MAINE’S FIRST SHIP NEW YEAR, 6 – 10 p.m., Roaring bonfire, Earl Bigelow and the Cilantro Trio, Henry and Marty’s restaurant will supply hors d’oevres, and cash bar. Hot buttered rum. Bath Freight Shed, $20 per person. 443-4242.

EARLY NEW YEAR’S EVE, 6-9 p.m., Patten Free Library. Hors d’oevres from Henry and Marty’s, wine and bear, live jazz from Frank Vigneau and friends. Reading Room, Patten Free Library, Bath. $50 per person, available at the library, the library bookstore, Now You’re Cooking, Brick Store Antiques, Ornament, or online at www.patten.lib.me.us. All proceeds benefit the library.

MISCELLANEOUS

POLAR BEAR DIP, 5 K RACE, 11 a.m. for the race, noon for the dip, East End Beach, Portland. Proceeds help fight global warming. Organized by Natural Resources Council of Maine. 430-0127.

Thu/02

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

WILD MUSHROOMS OF YULETIDE, 6 p.m., Join local mushroom expert and author Greg Marley at Rockland Public Library as he explores wild edible, medicinal, and poisonous mushrooms, and reveals the connections of mushrooms to the Yuletide season. Free. Books available for sale after presentation.

Sat/04

MISCELLANEOUS

RABIES CLINIC, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Harpswell Town Office. Vaccines, ear cleaning, nail trimming available for dogs and cats, $10 per pet. Bring previous rabies certificates. Microchipping also available for $25 per pet. Harpswell Town Office, Mountain Road, Harpswell. Benefits Coastal Humane Society. 725- 7313.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CLINIC, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Jan. 4 – Feb. 10. Kids’ crosscountry ski clinic, all skill levels welcome. Free kick-off clinic Jan. 4. Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson. Register online at www.hvnc.org/registration. Limited to 50 participants. $50- $60 for the series. Scholarships available.

Sun/05

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

TALK ON NORDIC SKIING, 5 p.m., Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson. Scott Andrews from the Ski Museum of Maine gives an hour long presentation about cross-country skiing in Maine. HVNC suggests $5 donation. Please register at www.hvnc.org/registration; space is limited.

Mon/06

MISCELLANEOUS

PHOTO SHOW OPENING, all day. “Favorite Places and Faces”, by George Cooke. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Open during library hours through January 30. 725-5242. Meet the artist event Friday at 5:00pm.

Wed/08

MISCELLANEOUS

FOMB ANNUAL MEETING/POTLUCK, 6 p.m., Cram Alumni House, Bowdoin College, 86 Federal St. Featuring archaeologist Bruce Bourque, Maine State Museum, who offers presentation on his new book “The Swordfish Hunters”. Free and open to the public.

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

CAMDEN CONFERENCE, 6:30 p.m., “Oceans at Risk”, Belfast Public Library, Belfast. Free and open to the public.

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL, 6:30 p.m., “James Herriot’s Yorkshire Dales with British transplant Jamie Pearson”, Freeport Community Library, Freeport. Severe weather will cancel events; watch for library closure announcements. Free.

Thu/09

MISCELLANEOUS

WEIGHT AND LIFESTYLE CHANGE, 4:30 – 6 p.m., Mid Coast Hospital, First class of a 12-week session including nutrition guidance, individual and group behavioral health sessions, and exercise coaching. FMI, call 406-7446.

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

CAMDEN CONFERENCE, 6:30 p.m., “Land, Food and Justice in the Hebrew Bible”, Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, 50 Willow St., Rockland. Free event in anticipation of the 27th annual Camden Conference: The Global Politics of Food and Water. 236-1034.

Fri/10

TALKS-WORKSHOP

MEDITATION WEEKEND, Friday-Sunday, beginning 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. “Art of Being Human” is a weekend program at the Brunswick Shambhala Meditation Center that will introduce participants to meditation practice and principles of the Shambhala Path of Warriorship. Pre-registration required; fee for the weekend is $140. 505-0227. www.shambhalabp.org.

Sat/11

PERFORMANCES

MERRYMEETING WINTER CONCERT, 7:30 p.m. Benefit for the building of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Brunswick. Something for everyone – Gershwin, Porter, Classical, Folk. Tickets are available in advance at 725- 8515. Adults $10, children under 12 free.

Mon/13

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

OUNCE OF PREVENTION, 11 a.m. – noon. Mid Coast Senior Health Center hosts a presentation by David Currier, Manager of Education Services at the Alzheimer’s Association, “When is it time to give up the keys?” Presentation for families and individuals who are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia on the issue of when it is time to stop driving. 58 Baribeau Dr., Brunswick. Snow date 1/20.

Mon/20

MISCELLANEOUS

CHILDREN’S CELEBRATION OF MLK, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Daggett Lounge, Thorne Dining Hall, Bowdoin College. Join children’s book author Rohan Henry and songwriter Josephine Cameron for a program of storytelling, music and crafts in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Refreshments will be served, admission is free. For ages 5 and up.

Wed/22

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL, 6:30 p.m., “Ancient and Vibrant Croatia with Sally Walsh”, Freeport Community Library, Freeport. Severe weather will cancel events; watch for library closure announcements. Free.

Fri/24

MISCELLANEOUS

MEET THE ARTIST, 5 – 8 p.m. “Favorite Places and Faces”, by George Cooke. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Exhibit open during library hours through January 30. 725-5242.

Sat/25

TALKS-WORKSHOPS

PRESCHOOL FAIR, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Many local preschools will be at the Topsham Public Library to discuss their programs and offer information. Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham.

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