Community Events Calendar

Join us this month to hear from Roxanne Eflin, Maine Development Foundation, talk about Downtown Augusta and CRID. The Chamber's Women's Network, sponsored by KeyBank, N.A. (www.keybank.com) and Central Maine Power Company (www.cmpco.com), meets monthly to strengthen business relationships, hear topical speakers and develop leadership. Women's Network, It's all about business and building relationships! RSVP and have the opportunity to win this month's gift basket donated by Kennebec Valley YMCA!

Downtown Augusta has been transformed into an outdoor museum with the installation of 31 signs in "The Museum in the Streets" Program. The signs, years in the planning and making, are written in both French and English, and tell the history of the building of Augusta, the city from 1625 to the present. All 29 signs and two large maps are within walking distance of each other on both sides of the Kennebec river. Another 9 Museum in the Streets signs have been installed along Canal Street in Mill Park. They tell the story of Edwards Mill, Edwards dam and industrial Augusta. The tour begins at City Center, proceeds behind Old Fort Western, moves down to Willow Street's W.H.Gannett's Comfort magazine printing house. On to a 10th sign at the east end of Calumet Bridge, then cross to the west side of the river, the 11th panel as at the corner of Bridge and Water Street. It's called "Seeing the Elephants" and shows a parade of elephants marching down Water Street. Proceed south on Water Street to Panel 13 that recounts the Great Augusta Bank robbery of New Year's weekend in 1850. On to the Great Augusta Fire of 1865 that destroyed 81 buildings on both sides of Water Street. Continue on and follow the tour to the end at Canal Street in Mill Park! The signs will be removed each November and replaced each spring. Maps of Augusta's Musuem in the Streets will be availalbe at Augusta City Center. Patrick Cardon, originally of France and now of Cushing, originated the idea in France.

Tourists, history buffs or those looking for something to do can now enjoy the newest version of The Museum in the Streets. City Historian and others have put together 19 signs that are part of the tour. The tour, which takes about an hour, begins at the waterfront, heads up Winthrop Street. The bulk of the signs are in the heart of downtown along Water Street. The panels (signs) reveal stories, events and traditions that helped shape the area. Hall-Dale French students were part of the translation team that made French subtitles so the panels could be bilingual. Visitors to Hallowell can find maps of the city's Museum in the Streets at City Hall, KV Chamber of Commerce or the Hubbard Free Library. Other Maine communities with a Museum in the Streets include Augusta, Waterville, Thomaston, Biddeford, Belfast and Searsport.

The Maine State Museum presents exhibits of Maine's natural environment, prehistory, social history, and manufacturing heritage. Accredited by the American Association of Museums. Yankee Magazine's TRAVEL GUIDE to New England says "It is one of the outstanding reasons to visit New England." Closed on all State Holidays. Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 9-5; Saturday 10-4; sunday & Monday Closed. Closed on "state government closure days: August 7, and September 4. Admission: Adults $2.00; Children 6-18 $1.00; Under 6, Free; Seniors 62+ $1.00. For more information please call 207-287-2301,or visit the Maine State Museum website:www.mainestatemuseum.org Mailing address is: Maine State Museum, 83 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

Gaslight Unveils 2010 Season ~ "Crime Does Play" Gaslight Theater's 2010 line-up will feature wit, music, murder, mayhem, plot twists and some of the most likeable criminals you will ever meet. MARCH 2010: "Accomplice" We can't say much about this complex and surprising comedy thriller by Rupert Holmes (best known as the composer of "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)"); it's a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns for a very adult audience. Winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award as well as the Dramalogue Award for Best Play, ACCOMPLICE has entertained and astonished audiences around the world. LATE JUNE/EARLY JULY: "Bells are Ringing" The classic Broadway musical, with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. Ella, the most valuable employee of Susanswerphone, lives vicariously through the lives of her answering service's clients until she falls in love with playwright Jeff Moss, who believes that only Ella's anonymous voice can break through his writer's block. Toss in an illegal bookmaking operation, the police, and some major misunderstandings, and you've got a recipe for perfect summer entertainment. The Jule Styne score features such favorites as "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over." SEPTEMBER 2010: "Born Yesterday" Another classic comedy, this one by Garson Kanin (and the basis for two film versions). Corrupt tycoon Harry Brock hires reporter Paul Verrall to give Brock's girlfriend, showgirl Billie Dawn, lessons in the ways of Washington, DC. Billie learns those lessons (and more) better than anyone bargained for. Born Yesterday is the perfect break from election news at the height of the campaign season. NOVEMBER 2010: "My Three Angels" Sam and Bella Spewack wrote this gleefully wicked Christmas comedy, set in French Guiana. Three convicted prisoners on work-release help the Ducotel family with their struggling general store, which is failing because Felix Ducotel, the manager, can't stand to ask people to pay him. When his cousin Henri, the store's owner, arrives to check up on Felix, the three convicts decide to give the Ducotels a merry Christmas by any means necessary. "Stay tuned" to this website for performance dates, and audition notices. Crime does play!

Kennebec Valley Art Association ArtTalk for March 2010: "Me and My Quilt" by a first grader at the Gilbert School was shown at the Harlow's Young at Art exhibition in 2008. Join us on Thursday, March 11 at 7pm at the Harlow Gallery to discuss children s art with Jane Frost and Jean Parkin-Clunie. How to look at Children's Art; Stages of development; and, what students are learning in school will be among the topics touched upon. There will be plenty of children s art on view at the Harlow on the 11th since the exhibition at the time will be our 7th annual Young at Art exhibition of children's artwork, when area students in grades K -8 will have their work on display in the professional setting of the Harlow Gallery. Art teachers from area schools will be selecting art by students from each of their schools and will come together to create this wonderful celebration of children's art. Fee: your $3 suggested donation supports arts programming at the Harlow. Friends for years, Jane and Jean formerly shared an elementary visual arts position and combined have over 35 years of teaching experience. The Harlow Gallery is owned and operated by the Kennebec Valley Art Association, a membership based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization since 1958. Visit our online store: http://www.harlowgallery.shop.mainecreates.com and join as on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theHarlow.