AUGUSTA – The Maine State Grange and Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Institute will sponsor a bus and boat agricultural tour of blueberry production, aquaculture and Native Americans, from Aug. 9 to 11.

Highlights of the trip will include a tour of blueberry barrens, a visit with Maine Agriculture Commissioner Robert Spear, boat tour of a fish farm, Potter Tree Farm, Mustard Mill, Waponahki Museum and the salmon release program at Washington Academy.

The cost is $145.40 a person and includes meals, tours and lodging for two nights. Reservations must be made in advance and the full cost is due by Tuesday, July 20. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Maine State Grange Headquarters, 146 State St., Augusta ME 04330, 1-800-464-3421, [email protected]. The complete trip itinerary is available at http://www.mainestategrange.org/ag_tour.htm.

Fun conference

ROME – The Brain Injury Association of Maine will host its annual Fun Conference on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28, at Pine Tree Camp.

The conference is for individuals with brain injury, their families and friends. It is not intended for young children.

The two-day event will include educational workshops, crafts, swimming, boating and kayaking. It will run from 9 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. The cost is $20 for Friday or $25 for Friday and Saturday. Meals and snacks are included. For more information, call the association at 1-800-275-1233.

Poetry workshop

BATH – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance will present “Are You Talkin’ to Me??,” a poetry workshop led by Michelle Lewis from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 24, at the alliance.

The workshop will focus on making sure the reader is buying what the writer is selling. Bring 10 copies of a poem.

Space is limited to 10 and cost is $55 for MWPA members; $75 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required. Call MWPA at 386-1400 to register.

Leader to visit

PORTLAND – The international leader of the Salvation Army will make a stateside visit from the organization’s London headquarters to speak at the Salvation Army Greater Portland annual civic luncheon.

The event will be held at noon Thursday, July 29, at the Portland Marriott. This year’s special guest is Gen. John Larsson, who leads the mission of the Salvation Army in more than 100 countries. He will speak about the Army’s international mandate and how it is evolving to meet the world community’s emerging needs.

This year’s Salvation Army civic luncheon will also honor Tom and Kate Chappell of Tom’s of Maine, who will receive the “Others” Award for their community support.

Tickets are $35 with tables of eight available. All proceeds support Greater Portland programs for youth, families and seniors. For more information, call 866-674-4391 or visit www.servingnewengland.org.

Poster contest

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association announces an artwork contest for the 2005 Common Ground Country Fair. The selected work will be featured on the 2005 fair poster, T-shirts, other fair merchandise and promotional literature. The winning artist will receive $1,000.

The contest is open to Maine residents and association members (regardless of residence) only. Artists may submit two entries. All entries must arrive in the office by 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6. The association will retain rights to the design.

All interested artists should contact the Common Ground Country Fair office for a list of criteria and an application form. The address is PO Box 170, Unity, Maine; call 568-4142; e-mail [email protected]. Registration forms for the contest also are available on Web at www.mofga.org.

Social Forum

BOSTON – Thousands of activists from around the world will gather for the Boston Social Forum from Friday through Sunday, July 23 to 25, at the University of Massachusetts Boston campus.

The event will feature more than 500 workshops, panels, films, art exhibits and performances on a range of issues, including climate change, corporate accountability, health care, education, gay, lesbian, bisexual liberation, criminal justice, immigration, labor, environmental justice, nonviolence, peace, labor, global justice, water privatization and women’s liberation. Many writers, artists and activists will speak.

The forum was organized by a coalition of more than 50 labor, peace, economic justice, civil rights, civil liberties, neighborhood, and women’s groups in response to a growing economic crisis facing cities and towns throughout the U.S.

Organizers hope that the forum will allow activists from many movements to come together and develop coherent responses to the assault on the public sector, civil rights and civil liberties.