AUGUSTA – To celebrate Women’s History Month and in accordance with the 2004-2005 university colloquium on class issues, the University of Maine at Augusta will present a panel discussion on the status of working women in Maine at 1 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Jewett Hall auditorium.

Panelists will include Laura Fortman, commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor; Lisa Polhman, associate director for the Maine Center for Economic Policy; and Linda Buckmaster, Central Maine employment and training coordinator for Women Work and Community.

Discussion will focus on issues facing women working in Maine, including policy, initiatives and case studies. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Peter Milligan at 621-3228.

Spring program

AUGUSTA – “Pining for Spring? Plan your Garden!” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Pine Tree State Arboretum visitor’s center, 153 Hospital St. A 6 p.m. optional potluck dinner will be held. Those attending the supper are asked to sign up with Gaby Howard, 622-9562.

Horticulturists Larry Babson and Sue McIntyre from Longfellow’s Greenhouses in Manchester will introduce new annual, perennial, tree and shrub varieties and will answer gardening and landscaping questions. Call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Bears are topic

FALMOUTH – Naturalist and photographer Bob Bittenbender will discuss and show slides of the polar bears of Hudson Bay from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center.

Windham resident Bittenbender, who visited Churchill, Manitoba, to see polar bears in 2003, will talk about the natural history of the subarctic landscape where the world’s largest terrestrial carnivores live and show close-range slides of the bears as well as the town of Churchill and the tundra buggies from which the animals can be watched.

The talk and slide show are free. For more information, call 781-2330, ext. 217, or e-mail [email protected]. For more information about Maine Audubon tours, visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Cat show coming

PORTLAND – NauTICAts will sponsor a cat show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, at the Verrillo’s Convention Center, 155 Riverside St.

There will be many unusual cat breeds as well as the popular breeds. A household pet competition will be held. The Russian Peterbald Cat will be a feature of the show.

Plenty of free parking is available. Admission will be $5 for adults; $4, seniors/students; free, children 12 and under.