Cancer program

SOUTH PORTLAND – The Cancer Community Center has invited all women to a special presentation that will address what is meant by an “underlying predisposition” to cancer from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, the center, 778 Main St. A support/networking group for women at high-risk for cancer will begin meeting the fourth Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. starting Oct. 2 at the center.

For more information, call the center at 774-2200 or visit www. cancercommunitycenter.org.

Language Exchange

SOUTH PORTLAND – The Language Exchange will hold its annual fall semester open house from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at 813 Broadway. The event is free and attendees will have the opportunity to win a language class for the fall semester.

The morning hours will be devoted to discussing programs for adults and will include a slide presentation of the overseas language and culture programs and the afternoon session will be devoted to children’s programs. Rita Swidrowski, presenter of the French story time for toddlers to first-graders, will lead children as they create their own French or Spanish-speaking paper stick puppets.

The fall schedule is available at www.immersionprograms.com, call 772-0405 or e-mail [email protected].

Pottery sale

FALMOUTH – The seventh annual pottery and jewelry sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.and Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Gilsland Farm and Maine Audubon, Route 1. It will feature more than 30 professional and student potters and metal smiths from all over Maine.

Free adult classes are scheduled each day of the sale from 1 to 3 p.m. and demonstrations by the teachers of Portland Pottery and Metalsmithing Studios on Friday from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. There will be a drawing for a free adult metalsmithing class.

A suggested $2 donation will be collected at the door and will directly benefit the Maine Audubon Society. For more information, call Portland Pottery and Metalsmithing Studio at 772-4334.

Bug Maine-ia

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Museum will host the fourth annual statewide celebration of bugs, “Bug Maine-ia,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. Entomologists, environmental educators, forensic scientists, foresters, anglers, artists and others will gather to explain the wonders and importance of bugs. Admission will be free all day. For more information, call 287-2301 or visit www. mainestatemuseum.com.

Open for trips

AUGUSTA – The Pine Tree State Arboretum is open for field trips on weekday mornings during September and October. Programs are conducted in small groups by staff and volunteers. Groups must provide one chaperone for every six students.

The cost is $3.50 a child, with a $45 group minimum. Groups are welcome to stay for a picnic lunch or a teacher-led activity. Self-guided tours are also possible. Program topics to choose from include arboretum tour, tree identification, seed dispersal, wildlife habitats, forestry, soils and geology, wetlands and pond life.

For more information, reservations or to receive a brochure, call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected]. The arboretum is located at 153 Hospital St. Visit www.pinetreestatearboretum.org for more information.

Pluto is topic

CUMBERLAND – Southern Maine Astronomers has announced that Dr. Jerry LaSala will speak at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the Cumberland Congregational Church.

LaSala, chairman of the Physics Department and director of the Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine, recently attended the International Astronomical Union meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, where the vote to demote Pluto as a planet was taken. LaSala will discuss the decision and other topics related to astronomical education. The meeting is free.

A telescope clinic will occur after the meeting. People with questions about operation and use of their personal telescopes are invited to bring them to the clinic where hands-on advice will be offered.

For more information, including directions, contact George Whitney at 408-9036 or visit www.southernmaineastronomers.org.

Writing conference

FREEPORT – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance will host a daylong “Writing in the Classroom” conference for writing teachers on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Stone House. Although the conference is targeted to junior and senior high school teachers, it is intended to be relevant to educators at all levels.

The featured presenter will be Baron Wormser, Maine’s former poet laureate and local authority on the importance of creative writing in the classroom.

Other scheduled presenters include Kate Kennedy, James Siegel, Bruce Spang and Susan Conley.

The cost is $55 for members; $75 for nonmembers and includes lunch. CEU credit is available. For more information, visit www.mainewriters.com.

Castine workshop

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy of Castine will host an informational workshop for prospective students and their parents on gaining admission to federal service academies, public maritime academies or private military colleges. The free workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Doubletree Hotel, 1230 Congress St.

High school students interested in disciplined training environments or opportunities for personal growth are invited. For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-800-227-8465. Walk-ins are welcome.

Learning conference

FREEPORT – The Learning Disabilities Association of Maine will hold its annual conference on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Hilton Garden Inn. “Lifelong Success” is the theme.

The conference will offer a total of 13 full-day and half-day workshops. The keynote address, “What is the Pivotal Key to Lifelong Success for Children and Adults with Learning and Attention Disorders?,” will be delivered by Dr. Mark Griffin, headmaster of the Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Conn.

The conference will also feature exhibitors, book signings, the LDA Parent Place, videos and a silent auction. To register for the conference or for more information, contact LDA at 465-7700 or visit www.ldame.org.