Each year, 40% of food in the United States is wasted. Where does this

waste end up? Most likely the landfill. Examine the waste stream and find

out how much of it can be redirected to other methods of disposal such as

anaerobic digestion, composting, and recycling. Find out why it is so

important to keep food waste out of landfills and look into options of food

waste disposal. Discuss vermiculture, anaerobic digestion, eliminating

sources of pollution, and possibilities for feeding the hungry. Find out how

ecomaine handles waste and how you can contribute to managing your

food waste effectively! Registration is required to access online link. 

It’s been a long week, and time to relax! Join local artist Sue Cannafarina for this two-hour class of monthly Friday evening painting fun while learning techniques used by the impressionists and Bob Ross (Lol). Bring a beautiful image to life ranging from still lifes, landscapes, and object studies. No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. These are great opportunities to spend time with friends or make new ones. Bring home a work of art each meeting! Classes run once a month through June. Please Note: Each month is a separate session. Each session is $30/pp/per class. Pre-registration for each class is required as class size is limited.

Did you know that there are trillions of pieces of plastic trash floating in our oceans? Or that this staggering number continues to grow as people continue mismanaging their waste? Much of the plastic floats at the ocean’s surface in areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where currents diverge.The rest of this errant trash can be found as microfibers floating throughout the depths of our oceans. These tiny plastic particles are a great concern for our environment and our health, as microplastics have even found their way into the human bloodstream. Join ecomaine for this special presentation about the future of ocean plastics. We’ll learn how we can minimize our own pollution, no matter where we live or visit, and what technologies can help clean up the growing problem of plastics in our oceans. Please pre-register as a minimum of 4 people is required to run the course.

Beatrice Johnson has a BS in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from UME Orono with a concentration in sustainability, environmental policy, and natural resource management. She has been working in environmental sustainability since she graduated and has a passion for both teaching and the environment. Bea has found her place in educating communities on sustainable waste management and loves to spread the word and see people begin to make simple steps to reduce their carbon footprint and better the future of the world.

From the comfort of your own home, play the piano like a professional by using chords. The course includes an online book, online follow-up video lessons, optional periodic online Q&A sessions, and a recording of the class - enough materials to continue your practice and study on your own! Learn to form the three basic types of chords, handle a variety of keys and time signatures, avoid counting, and simplify more than 12,000 complex chords. The course is part lecture/demonstration and part hands-on instruction. Please have access to a computer, tablet, or phone, a piano or keyboard, and a steady internet connection during class. Registration closes at noon on 3/18. Pre-registration is required for access to online link.

Craig Coffman, an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist, and music director, has 30+ years of experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars have been attended by 30,000+ students throughout the US over the last 27 years.

Riding an ATV can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's in your own back yard, or exploring on the thousands of miles of trails available in Maine. ATVs (including UTVs and off-road motorcycles) can also be useful around the woodlot or farm and let's face it, they're simply fun to ride! It's important to ride safely, responsibly, and to be prepared before you go. Many ATV trails reside on private land. Respecting these generous private landowners by riding responsibly is critical to maintaining trail access. Educating yourself before you go is an important component of being a safe and responsible offroad operator. Youth ages 10 to under 16, must successfully complete an approved ATV Safety Certification course to legally operate on land other than their own. Anyone 16 years of age or older is encouraged t o take the course to be educated and prepared for safe riding. The ATVSafety Course is available in two different formats: online and in-person. Students 12 and older can complete the Official Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety course online at offroad-ed.com/maine. The cost to register for the online course is $34.95. Upon successful completion of the online course, students will receive their Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety Certification card. FMI or for a listing of live courses, go to https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/educational-programs/safety-courses/atv-safety.html 

Looking for meaningful work? Our community needs individuals who want to make a difference in a child’s life. Children’s Behavioral Health Services are vital to Maine’s children with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health Disorders and their families. And the need in our area is great! As an integral part of the child’s treatment team, a Certified Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) can make an immediate impact while helping a child grow and develop to their full potential. We are excited to connect our community with this wonderful ONLINE training and certificate program. This training will prepare you for employment through local social service agencies and equip you to work with children who qualify for services. The program can be started at any time and finished at your own pace. You will complete 12 online modules and then three 4-hour live (in-person or virtual) sessions. Once the modules are completed, you will receive free online blood-borne pathogen training and Child and Adult First Aid and CPR certification. In just 40 hours, our free remote training program can get you certified and on your way to a life-changing profession. Must be a Maine resident and at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, or equivalent, to become certified .Pre-registration is required to receive online link.

     Time Varies: Course is “At Your Own Pace” but must be completed 

       within one year

     Online

     Jeffrey Carpenter

     Free

As the Workforce Recruitment Specialist for the State of Maine’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) through Woodfords Family Services, Jeffrey recruits Behavior Health Professionals throughout the state. He is here to answer your questions and address technical issues, should any arise. He is also a resource to connect you with service agencies once you have completed the training.

Life is easier when you breathe easier. It’s estimated that 85% of us unknowingly use some type of poor breathing pattern that’s connected to feeling sick and tired. This class has helped many people feel healthier and stronger simply by learning to switch their every-day breathing to a more beneficial pattern. Pre-registration is required to receive online link.

     Online at your convenience

About Carole: Carole Freeman is a Respiratory Therapist and Breathing Specialist and holds a graduate degree in Health Sciences from Loma Linda University Medical Center. She focuses on the relatively new field of pulmonary medicine in recognizing and treating breathing disorders.

Don’t spoil your trip to a higher altitude - condition your body first. People often feel shortness of breath, light headed and fatigued at higher altitudes because their bodies work harder, while taking in less oxygen. Anxiety increases, your enjoyment decreases. You’ll have more energy, feel better and enjoy your trip when you condition your body first to increase oxygenation and endurance. Do the same preparation that elite athletes do with this 4-week, self-paced course at home, even if you live at sea level. Online at your convenience. Pre-registration is required to receive online link.