Community Events Calendar

The Hallowell 250th committee is planning a Community Variety show to help celebrate Hallowell's 250th Birthday. We are looking for acts, amateur and otherwise, that would include performance art including songs, skits, dances, monologues, and poetry recitation. These should be: 1) something created related to any period of time in Hallowell; or 2) a song, reading etc. from any period, that may have been familiar in Hallowell or 3) a song, skit or reading written at any time that had a theme that ties into any period. For the latter, an example may be for the time block that contains the 1936 flood, a song about that flood from anywhere in the US or even floods in general could be considered as appropriate to that theme. People can submit material for others to perform if they do not wish to perform themselves. The Variety show will be presented July 12, 13 and 14th. If you have any questions, contact Richard Bostwick at bostwick.maine@gmail.com. Proposals are due April 7th and information should be sent to Richard Bostwick at bostwick.maine@gmail.com. Auditions - Later on in April, we will audition people and their acts, as well as auditioning for people to read written material. We will also audition for people to be readers to perform the readings selected to introduce and keep the theme of the period block. People doing monologues and skits may also be asked if they would like to be reader as well. The performers don t have to be from Hallowell, but the topic should be.

Dave Gomeau Exhibit to Benefit Lithgow Library Capital Campaign. During the months of February and March, local photographer Dave Gomeau will exhibit his work at Augusta's City Center. A portion of the sales will go to the library's capital campaign. Dave Gomeau has lived and worked in Maine since 1973. His work in arboriculture and an active outdoor life in Maine have had a tremendous impact on the selection of the natural world as his subject matter. Dave's work has been displayed previously in Senator Libby Mitchell's state office, the Viles Arboretum, and Augusta City Center. He markets his bird photography to an international birdhouse manufacturer. Dave is excited to be in parternship with the Friends of Lithgow Library, offering his photography as a means to help raise funds needed for the upcoming library expansion.

The Annual Augusta Rotary Roundaiton Online Auction will start March 1 and continue through March 31. Rotary menmbers are busy currying to line up gift items for the 10th annual online charity auction. There will be many new and exciting items at . Bidding will be open 24 hours a day throughout the month, bidders can keep checking back for new items or raising bids to keep it exciting. The Rotary Club of Augusta is comprised of a cross section of business, professional and community leaders. The club meets Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. at the Holocaust & Human Rights Center at the University of Maine at the Augusta Campus. Guests are welcome.

AARP Offers Free Tax Help at Spectrum Generations Centers. Central Maine Spectrum Generations is once again collaborating with AARP to offer tax preparation services at its community centers throughout Central Maine. This free service is open to any member of the community for support with personal income taxes now through mid-April. Appointments are required for all locations, and fill up fast. For those interested in scheduling an appointment, contact Spectrum Generations at 1-800-639-1553 or the community center closest to you. Coastal Community Center in Damariscotta 563-1363 Cohen Community Center in Hallowell 626-7777 Knox Community Center in Rockland 596-0339 Muskie Community Center in Waterville 873-4745 Somerset Community Center in Skowhegan 474-8552 Southern Mid Coast Community Center in Topsham 729-0475 Spectrum Generations has promoted life-long learning, health, wellness, nutrition, community engagement and the social well-being of all older and disabled adults for 40 years as the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging. For more information about Spectrum Generations programs, services, and center activities, call 1-800-639-1553 or visit www.spectrumgenerations.org. For more information regarding AARP, visit their website at www.aarp.org.

Employers gather to acknowledge positive momentum of Maine's business climate. Maine State Chamber's Business Day at the Statehouse cultivates dialogue between businesses and legislators in an effort to foster job growth and economic stability. On Wednesday morning, March 28, 2012, employers from around the state will gather for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce's annual Business Day at the Statehouse (http://www.mainechamber.org/BizDay) in the Hall of Flags from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Growing each year, this successful event hosts an anticipated 250 employers as well as legislators and administrators. The casual and informative forum provides a prime opportunity to discuss business issues and priorities, with the ultimate goal of better working together to strengthen the state's economy and keep Maine competitive. Business Day at the Statehouse 2012 will acknowledge the work of the 125th Maine Legislature and the progress it is making toward a more stable and prosperous business climate. This opportunity for businesses to connect face-to-face with their locally-elected legislators emphasizes the importance of preserving and retaining existing jobs, strengthening Maine's economy through the creation of new opportunities, and keeping Maine businesses competitive in this very fragile economy. "In our visits with Maine businesses around the state, we are finally hearing a different tone," states Dana Connors, Maine State Chamber president. "Employers are expressing optimism and hope for the future for the first time in several years. The fear of burdensome regulation and the hesitancy to invest in the face of uncertain times is starting to lift. The Legislature deserves significant credit for that change, and we are grateful to them for having the dedication to reverse the trend." At 9:30 a.m., legislative leadership will address those gathered in the Hall of Flags. Sen. Kevin Raye, Rep. Robert Nutting, Sen. Barry Hobbins, and Rep. Emily Cain are slated to share their perspective on recent legislative activities to advance the Maine economy. In addition, members of the Governor's Cabinet will discuss their departments' business-focused initiatives at 10:00 a.m. Guest speakers include Pattie Aho, commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection; David Bernhardt, commissioner of Department of Transportation; John Butera, senior economic advisor to Governor LePage; Ken Fletcher, director of Office of Energy Independence & Security; George Gervais, commissioner of Department of Economic & Community Development; and, Robert Winglass, Commissioner of Labor. Legislative leaders from both the House and Senate will also be available to interact with employers and their employees prior to the start of the legislative session (currently scheduled at 10:00 a.m.). This event also provides employers and their employees with an opportunity to both observe and participate in the legislative process firsthand.