PORTLAND – Equality Maine Foundation will host its 21st annual awards banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Holiday Inn By the Bay. The evening will honor Maine’s leaders in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. The event is open to the public.

Reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased online at www.equalitymaine.org. Suggested donation is $50 a person (sliding scale of $25 to $49 available). For more information call Equality Maine at 761-3732 or e-mail [email protected].

Adoption support

PORTLAND – The Maine Adoption Placement Service will offer a support group series, an informal discussion group, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. starting March 8 at the MAPS office, 306 Congress St.

Highlights will include healthy relationship building in the first weeks; normative stages of development during the transition period; dealing with language/communication barriers; working with a child’s teacher and easing into the school transition; attachment and bonding.

The first in the series will include a panel of adoption social workers, which are also adoptive parents. Those wanting more information or registration can call 772-3678 or e-mail [email protected].

Harvest grants

AUGUSTA – The Harvest Fund at Maine Initiatives is accepting applications for spring grant proposals. The fund makes grants to projects promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems in Maine communities.

The fund provides $25,000 in small grants each year. It has funded advocacy, school- and youth-based programs, heirloom seed propagation, food co-ops, farm markets, educational publications, winter growing and organic dairy farming.

The spring application deadline is Wednesday, April 6. For an application or information people should contact Maine Initiatives, 622-6294, [email protected], or visit www.maineinitiatives.org.

Camp aid

FALMOUTH – Financial aid is available for Maine youth to attend residential sessions this summer at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen and Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary in Elliottsville.

Youth ages 10 to 17 who are interested in the natural world and demonstrate financial need can get an application by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 781-2330, ext. 215.

Sessions at Hog Island Audubon Camp will include youth camp and coastal kayaking for teens. Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary will offer two sessions of its youth naturalist program.

Math school

LIMESTONE – The Maine School of Science and Mathematics is taking applications for Summer Camps 2005. The school will offer week-long residential camps specifically designed to provide young students who are curious about math, science and technology, with opportunities to explore the fields.

The goal is for every camper to become more confident and excited about pursuing further studies, and, ultimately, careers related to these fields. The camps will run through July.

Those wanting more information or an application should call Linda at 1-800-325-4484 or go to www.mssm.org/spec.htm.