TOPSHAM – Americans from coast to coast will hit the scales to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Second Annual Great American Weigh In on Wednesday, March 3.

The weigh in was established last year by the American Cancer Society and founding sponsor Weight Watchers International Inc. to promote cancer prevention by encouraging people to eat well, be active and maintain a healthy weight.

Free body mass index screening and information on cancer prevention will be available to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at 16 participating Hannaford stores in Maine and participating Weight Watchers meetings. To find out the locations, call 1-800-651-6000.

USM conference

PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine Sustainability Conference: Ecology, Energy and Equity will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Luther Bonney and Campus Center.

There will be presentations and workshops by national and local speakers, documentary films and a trade show of sustainable products and services.

It is free and open to the public. For reservations call 228-8367. For information on the conference and other convocation events, see www.usm.maine.edu/prov/convocation. Call 780-4321 for accommodations to participate in a program. If hard of hearing or deaf, call USM’s TTY number, 780-4069.

Trek party

AUGUSTA – The American Lung Association of Maine plans a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Trek Across Maine Sunday River to the Seas from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Marriott Sable Oaks in South Portland.

The party is open to past trekkers and those interested in participating in the next event. There will be refreshments and music. For more information, call Sarah MacColl at 799-2424 or e-mail smaccoll@maine.rr.com.

Poster contest

ORONO – Girls ages 9 to 18 are invited to express their creativity and help build awareness of Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine by participating in the first statewide poster contest.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Gender Project is sponsoring the contest with the support of the Maine Women’s Fund to challenge media messages that tell girls they need to be prettier, thinner and sexier to be beautiful or to be okay.

The deadline for submission of a poster is March 28. Prizes will be awarded in three age categories: 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 18. First prize will be $75 and second prize will be $25 in each category.

For more information on contest guidelines and submission requirements, visit the Web site at www.umaine.edu/umext/genderproject.

Student writers

BRUNSWICK – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance announces its sixth annual Maine Student Writing Awards, a statewide competition for high school students sponsored by Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, and the Maine Arts Commission. It is the only writing contest of its kind for young Maine writers. The competition deadline is March 31.

Students interested in entering the competition should speak with their English teachers about submitting work.

Three winners will be selected in each of the following categories: Fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In addition to the $100 prize for the three first-place winners, winners receive a free yearlong membership to MWPA, a copy of “Maine Speaks: An Anthology of Maine Literature,” and have the opportunity to have their work posted on MWPA’s Web site.

Paddle for camp

BATH – Hundreds of kayakers and canoeists will take to waterways throughout Maine on June 5 in support of Pine Tree Camp, a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities. Those wishing can register now for the Hammond Lumber Paddle for Pine Tree Camp.

The 2004 Paddle for Pine Tree Camp will expand in size and scope with statewide locations featuring a festive, celebratory atmosphere (Kennebec River, Saco Bound on the Saco River and sea kayaking at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport), prizes, an opportunity to create Paddle Partner teams and pre-event paddling workshops.

Kayakers and canoeists raise money for campers by collecting pledges per mile or accepting straight contributions. Sponsors and other corporate contributors donate dollars, products and services to show their support.

To register or for more information, visit the Pine Tree Society’s Web site, www.pinetreesociety.org, call 934-7962 or e-mail kdorer@pinetreesociety.org.