PORTLAND – The Maine Home, Remodeling and Garden Show is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Feb. 12 to 13 at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The celebration will begin with a “Meet the Chefs” cooking series. Celebrity and area chefs will cook up their favorites in the new Castle Kitchen, Kitchen Studio. There will be a sampling session at the end of each demonstration.

More than 150 exhibitors will be set up and will feature the Shoppers Gallery on the concourse. On the main floor, visitors will find the latest appliances, dcor and home-related products and services.

Visitors are invited to enter the show’s drawings for a set of cookware and a $1,000 home-theater speaker system. Winners do not need to be present.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors (over 65). Children under 10 are free.

Screen contest

WATERVILLE – The deadline for the third annual Maine Screenwriting Competition is approaching. The competition is sponsored by the Maine Film Office, in cooperation with the Maine International Film Festival.

Maine residents are encouraged to submit completed screenplays for feature films or teleplays for one-hour television pilots. The competition has expanded to include judging of television scripts in order to encourage work in TV by Maine writers.

A team of judges will read and critique each screenplay and teleplay. The top three winners in each category will be awarded prizes during the eighth annual Maine International Film Festival on July 16 in Waterville.

To download information and an application form, go to the Maine Film Office Web site at www.filminmaine.com. Writers can also contact Katie Woodbury at 624-7483 for a printed version. The deadline is March 15.

Arts institute

AUGUSTA – The Maine Arts Commission is offering a four-day professional development institute in the arts for educators of all disciplines. Workshops will be offered in dance, music, movement/theatre, visual arts, interdisciplinary education, planning effective workshops and workshop design and development.

The institute will be held Aug. 2 through 5 at Colby College in Waterville. There is no charge. Room and board will be provided. Twenty-four applicants will be selected on the strength of their applications. Applications must be received by March 1.

Those wishing more information should contact Paul Faria, arts in education associate, Maine Arts Commission, at [email protected], 287-2790 or 287-2360 TTY. To download an application form, visit http://mainearts.com/organizations/education/development.shtml.