AUBURN – Tri County Health Services of Western Maine Community Action will hold open houses at the following: Auburn, One Auburn Center, 79 Main St., from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7; Norway, 39 Lower Main St., 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 12; Rumford, 218 Penobscot St., 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21; and Farmington, 93 Front St., 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

People may tour the facilities, meet staff, have snacks and receive a free gift. A door prize will be awarded. People can call 1-800-645-9636 for further information.

Annual AKC show

SACO – The annual AKC All Breeds and Obedience Dog Show Weekend will be May 3 and 4 at the Howard Sports Center. It’s sponsored by the York County Kennel Club of Maine.

Show Chairwoman Betty Trott said this is a new venue for the show. “The 63,000-square-foot space translates into a better show for everyone, participants as well as spectators.”

A Breed and Obedience Match will be 6 p.m. Friday, open to the public free. The actual dog show gets under way at 7 a.m. Saturday and runs through 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

There will be three workshops open to the public between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Refreshments will be available.

The Puppy Extravaganza will end the day Saturday. Wrapping up the show Sunday will be the Bred By event.

Admission each day is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

Maine Media Women

ROCKPORT – The Maine Media Women will hold its annual Spring Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Samoset Resort.

The organization is a network of communications specialists from broadcast, print and electronic media. Founded in 1951, it is a statewide organization with local chapters made up of writers, photographers, journalists, Web designers, artists, poets and other creative fields.

The theme is “Imagine the Possibilities.” Highlights will include a presentation by Lighthearted Productions, LLC, a five-woman video production company based in Portland and Eastport, which includes former WGME news anchor Patsy Wiggins, Kathleen Connolly Alfiero, Linda Cross Godfrey, Jane Ellen Honeck and Elizabeth Simonds Finegan.

The 2003 President’s Award will be presented to New York Times best-selling author and television medical consultant Dr. Christiane Northrup. Winners of the communications awards and the scholarship recipient will also be announced.

A silent auction will raise funds for the scholarship program. The conference registration fee is $50 for members, $65 for non-members. Non-members may join with registration for $80. Luncheon is included in the fee.

For more information about the conference, call Ria Biley at 596-5650. Registration forms may also be downloaded from the Maine Media Women Web site, www.mainemediawomen.org.

Richert to speak

AUGUSTA – A forum on “Regional Consolidation and Sustainable Communities: Can We Have Both?” will be held 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at St. Paul’s Center, 136 State St.

“It is our hope that div erse groups will come together and discuss their hopes and their fears about consolidation based on what we have experienced so far,” said Deb Burd, executive director of Western Mountains Alliance, one of the sponsors. “It is important that we consider both the positive outcomes and the difficult trade-offs associated with consolidation efforts.”

Evan Richert of the Muskie School will discuss “Regional Government: Maine Style.” Panels will consider four areas: economic development, education, health care and land and water resources.

The deadline for the $20 registration fee is Friday, May 9. Space is limited. A registration form can be obtained by phoning Tracie Pooley at 1-877-340-2649.

Statewide food drive set

PORTLAND – The National Association of Letter Carriers will collect nonperishable food for the needy on Saturday, May 10, from postal service customers statewide.

Customers need to place their food donations near their mail receptacles on that morning. All food collected in Maine will be used for local food pantries throughout the state.

Customers are being asked not to set out anything in glass containers or any perishable food. Carriers will collect the food during their normal delivery rounds.

For further information, people may phone Leanne Payeur at (207) 828-8501.