Three shows of live owls

FALMOUTH — Three shows of “Eyes On Owls” will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Gilsland Farm Sanctuary.

Member cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children; nonmembers, $15 adults, $10 children.

Join naturalist Marcia Wilson and photographer Mark Wilson for Maine Audubon’s annual visit with several live owls. Includes a hooting lesson, an entertaining slideshow and a close-up look at several different species. The morning show is suitable for children.

Showtimes will be at 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., 1 to 2:15 p.m. and 3 to 4:15 p.m.

The Wilsons, from Dunstable, Mass., first brought their owls to Maine Audubon in 1999 and have come to Gilsland Farm annually since 2003. Their owl sanctuary is licensed to hold up to 22 owls, and they typically bring six to eight owls of different species with them when they come to Maine.

5K, dip aid natural resources

PORTLAND — Be bold in the cold with a plunge into the Atlantic and/or winter jaunt around the East End to support the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to reduce climate change pollution. The bone-chilling fun 5K and dip will take place at Portland’s East End on Monday, Dec. 31.

Preregister online at nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash. Registration opens at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at East End Beach. The 5k begins at 11 and the dip will be at noon.

The registration fee is $30 and friends and family can pledge to help raise money and awareness about climate change and what NRCM is doing right here in Maine to curb it. Learn more and pledge online at www.nrcm.org/dipdash.asp.

The first 200 to sign-up for the Dip, the Dash or both will receive a BPA-free water bottle. There are also fun prizes for top finishers, best costume, youngest and oldest participants and top fundraisers, including Lamey Wellehan gift certificates, handmade polar bear mugs and hats, books by Maine author/illustrator Jamie Hogan and more.

There will be folks in polar bear costumes, hot drinks from Coffee by Design and goodies.

Home health workers honored

AUGUSTA — Around the nation, more than 11 million Americans each year benefit from the work of home health caregivers, who received special recognition in November as part of National Home Care and Hospice Month.

In honor of the caregivers in Maine, the Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine and the Maine Hospice Council joined together to host the Annual Blaine House Tea to salute professionals and volunteers for their dedication to providing exceptional home care and hospice services for patients across the state. First lady Ann LePage provided welcoming remarks which included the presentation of the proclamation from Gov. Paul LePage proclaiming November 2012 as National Home Care and Hospice Month.

During the celebration, held Nov. 7, the Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine recognized Mary Maddox, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice of Rockland, with the Home Care Volunteer Award, and Laura Lepine, VNA Home Health & Hospice of South Portland, with the Hospice Volunteer Award. Presenting the award was Vicki Purgavie, executive director, Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine.