Seeks submissions

PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine student-published journal of literature and art, “Words + Images,” is accepting submissions from poets, writers and artists for the 2007 edition.

“Words + Images” is published annually and is based on open-call submissions for poetry, prose and art. Writers may send their work as general submissions or enter the contests for the Stephen Dunn Poetry Award or the Andre Dubus Short Fiction Award. There is a $12 reading fee for the contests only. Deadline for all submissions is Dec. 31.

Send all work to Words + Images, University of Southern Maine, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300.

Night sky program

FALMOUTH – Maine Audubon will offer a program about the night sky from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Beginning indoors with an introduction, then leading the group outside, astronomer Lori Agan will guide participants through the myriad stars, constellations, planets and deep-space objects visible to the naked eye, through binoculars and with the help of a large telescope.

For adults and families with children ages 10 and up, the programs is $6/adult and $3/child for Maine Audubon members; $8/adult and $4/child $98 for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary. Call 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org.

USM speaker

PORTLAND – Dr. Jill C. Tarter, director of the Center for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, will be at USM to speak about “Life, the Universe, and SETI in a Nutshell” as part of the Astrobiology Public Seminar Series on Friday, Dec. 1. The lecture will take place at 3:30 p.m. in Talbot Auditorium of Luther Bonney Hall.

For more information on the center, visit http://www.seti.org. The event will be free and open to the public. For more information, contact Professor Gerald LaSala, director of USM’s Southworth Planetarium, at 780-4557.

Victorian holiday

AUGUSTA – Old Fort Western, the National Historic Landmark fort, store and house museum on the Kennebec River, will host a Victorian Christmas from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the fort.

The south parlor will be decorated as it might have been around the time of the Civil War, when Christmas was beginning to be more widely observed in New England. In the kitchen, the staff will be making flavored popcorn balls and period candies, two treats that were associated with Christmas during the mid 19th century. Copies of the recipes will be available for sale.

A $5 per person donation (children under 6 free) will be requested. First Sunday programs are sometimes canceled due to poor weather. Call 626-2385 or go to www.oldfortwestern.org on the day of the program to confirm program status.

Visit abroad

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – “Qualified high school students are offered a unique opportunity to spend an academic year, three-month program or summer holiday in Europe, Asia, North and South America, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program,” announced Gretchen Wietmarschen, Eastern Director of ASSE.

Students, age 15 to 18, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a desire to have an experience abroad.

“ASSE host families are carefully screened to provide a caring environment in which students can learn the language and culture of their host country,” said Wietmarschen. ASSE students attend regular high school classes along with their new teenage friends.

Students and family’s interested in receiving more information should call 1-800-677-2773 or visit www.asse.com.

Calendars ready

AUGUSTA – The Holiday Salute to the Citizen Soldiers of the Maine National Guard and Reserves, 2007 calendar is available. Similar to last year, proceeds will go to help the Maine National Guard Family Foundation, which assists families in times of need.

The calendar is a salute to the men and women of the Maine National Guard at their civilian jobs in Maine. The calendars are available at J&S Oil, RH Foster Energy and the Mobil On-the-Run stores in the Central Maine area. The calendars are also available online at http://www.octoberpublications.com/calendarorder2.php. Phone orders to 582-4327.

For more information, contact Buddy Doyle at 582-4327 or buddydoyle@adelphia.net.

Winter passport

PORTLAND – Parents who are looking for things to do as a family this winter, and who have children in fifth, sixth or seventh grade, can get a WinterKids Passport to experience outdoor fun at 50 Maine outdoor recreation areas this winter.

The passport entitles the holder to free or reduced tickets at 19 cross country and 16 downhill skiing and snowboarding areas, three sledding and tubing parks and 11 ice skating arenas throughout Maine. It also offers free or discounted lessons and rentals. Discounts for tickets, lessons and rentals are offered to parents and siblings as well.

Applications are available in every school in Maine, at WinterKids’ sponsor locations, Hannaford Supermarkets, TD Banknorth, L.L. Bean and Weight Watchers of Maine, and on-line. There is a $20 processing fee for the passport, although WinterKids honors a scholarship policy. For more information, visit www.WinterKids.org or call Carla Marcus at 871-5700.

Gifts give twice

PORTLAND – The Maine Association of Nonprofits Web site, www.nonprofitmaine.org, is featuring a special section called “Gifts That Give Twice,” in which approximately 50 association members have posted products, services and memberships for sale as holiday fundraisers.

There is a wide range of products and services available, as well as information about gift membership and donation programs.

Holiday gift ideas include the McLaughlin Foundation’s 2007 calendar, limited edition note cards from the Center for Grieving Children and a year-long membership to Zoey’s Room for girls age 10 to 14.

For more information, visit www.nonprofitmaine.org and click on the link called “Gifts That Give Twice” to view participating members and get more information about purchasing their gifts.

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