LEWISTON – The Harward Center for Community Partnerships at Bates College has launched a new series of talks, “Public Works in Progress,” offering presentations and conversations with Bates faculty and staff about community projects and the issues they raise.

The first discussion in the series was led by David Scobey, director of the Harward Center. The topic was “”Making Use of All Our Faculties, or Why Maurice Chevalier Came to Lewiston.”

Participants included Jill Reich, dean of the faculty, Bates College; Loring Danforth, Charles A. Dana professor of anthropology, Bates College; Elizabeth McCabe Park, director, Maine Campus Compact; Cindy Larock, cultural center coordinator, Lewiston Public Library/Marsden Hartley Cultural Center; Paul Badeau, marketing director, Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council; and State Sen. Peggy Rotundo.

The next talk in the series, “Deliberating Publics of Citizens: Postnational Citizenship amidst Global Public Spheres,” will be given on Tuesday, Oct. 24, by Stacy Smith, associate professor of education at Bates College. RSVP to Kristen Cloutier, Harward Center for Community Partnerships, at 786-6202 to reserve a space and receive a copy of the reading.