Art workshops

AUGUSTA – The Maine Arts Commission will hold a series of free workshops around the state. Contemporary artists, traditional artists, cultural administrators, educators, cultural entrepreneurs and community members are invited.

The open houses will begin at 1 p.m. and run throughout the afternoon. Commission staff will be on hand to answer questions and hear suggestions about how the agency can best serve artists and Maine communities.

Area workshops are scheduled for: Wednesday, Jan. 18, the Center, Waterville, and Wednesday, Feb. 1, Student Center, University of Maine at Farmington.

For a detailed schedule, visit MaineArts.com. Anyone who requires special accommodations to participate should call 287-2724 voice or 877/887-3878; TTY/NexTalk.

Chinese fair

PORTLAND – The Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine will hold its annual Chinese New Year Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan, 29, at the Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Ave. There will be many events for children and adults.

All day there will be vendors selling Chinese items, books and Chinese ethnic craft items. The U.S. Postal Service will sell Chinese New Year commemorative stamps. Admission is $5, adults; $3, children; $3, members; $2, children.

Outdoor table tour

AUGUSTA – A Super Sunday Ski and Snowshoe Outdoor Table Tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, 153 Hospital St.

Participants can tour the arboretum trails on skis or snowshoes. Tables loaded with food and refreshments from local restaurants and eateries will be located throughout the course. There will be soups, chili, appetizers, desserts and hot beverages along the five miles of groomed trails and sledding hill. Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available.

The event is a fundraiser for maintenance of the arboretum’s trail systems and plant collections. Preregistration is recommended. Advance tickets are $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers; at the door, $15 for members, $20 for non-members; children 12 and under, $5. Call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected] for more information or to register. Visit www.pinetreestatearboretum.org for details.

Bamboo flyfishing

FAIRFIELD – The third annual gathering of flyfishing bamboo aficionados will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Fairfield Junior High School gym. The gathering is being organized by flyfishinginmaine.com, Maine author Kathy Scott, angler Chris Hutchins and bamboo rod maker David Van Burgel.

A highlight will be Sante Giuliani’s rod collection that will include a Paul Young Martha Marie along with other vintage rods. The event is free, and more information can be found at www.flyfishinginmaine.com.

Home show

PORTLAND – On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 12 and 13, the 16th annual Maine Home, Remodeling and Garden Show at the Cumberland County Civic Center will feature “Meet the Chefs” cooking series hosted by Portland’s Brenda Broder, the Home Theater and Automation Pavilion, free ice cream and super prize drawings.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $7 for adults; $5, seniors (65+); free, children under 10.

Training tour

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy students, officers and crew will sail to Barcelona, Spain, Gdynia, Poland, and Cobh, Ireland, this spring as part of the college’s annual two-month training cruise to foreign and domestic ports-of-call. The ship will make its final port call in Portland.

The training ship, State of Maine, will depart from Castine harbor on Wednesday, May 3. The cruise will commence in port on Friday, April 28, for a week of preparation.

“Follow the Voyage,” the school’s online ship tracking and interactive Web site, will be coordinated by students and staff as part of training activities. The public is invited to join the voyage by visiting www.mma.edu and following the highlighted hyperlink.

Due to heightened shipboard security, the vessel will not be open for tours while in foreign or domestic ports. The ship will return to its homeport on Saturday, June 24.