PORTLAND – The 2004 Maine Senior Games will take place in Greater Portland Aug. 28 to Sept. 29 for athletes 50 and up.

Sports events include basketball, bowling, softball, golf, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, table tennis, racquetball, badminton, horseshoes, swimming, tennis, track and field and shuffleboard.

Men and women compete in age groups as follows: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 74-79 and 80+. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to first, second and third place winners. Athletes will be able to qualify for the 2005 National Senior Games to be held in Pittsburgh.

To receive a registration form, call 396-6500 and leave mailing address or go online to www.smaaa.org, click on Community News and Maine Senior Games.

Shambhala class

BRUNSWICK – The Bruns-wick/Portland Shambhala Meditation Center will offer the five-week introductory class, “Shambhala: the Sacred Path of the Warrior,” in two locations: 60 Forest Ave., Portland, and at 19 Mason St., Brunswick.

The class, open to beginning and experienced mediators, will begin in Portland Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 7:15 p.m., and in Brunswick Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. The first meeting will be a free open house.

The cost of the series is $30 plus the book. For more information and to register, contact, in Portland, Dan Lewis at 874-2862, and in Brunswick, Chip Carpenter at 643-2746.

Ghost conclave

BRUNSWICK – Maine’s Paranormal Research Association of Lewiston has completed its third annual New England Ghost Conference at the Parkwood Inn.

Director and founder Bill Washell of Lewiston gave a talk on “Electronic Voice Phenomenon.” Nancy Caswell, co-director, showed pictures from a ghost investigation that took place on Aug. 6. Stacey Farrington and Lori Black, senior field investigators, helped with the conference.

Attendees and speakers went on a ghost investigation and toured the Joshua Chamberlain Home Museum. The 2005 conference is being planned for the second weekend in August in Lewiston.