Real estate seminar especially for women

Real estate: Is now the right time to invest? For women who have asking themselves that question, a free informational seminar might give some answers. The session is Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m., at the Pepper Club, 78 Middle St., Portland.

Experts including Bridget King, owner and investor, Maine Real Estate Network; and April Ylvisaker, a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch, will offer their advice. There will be time for questions and answers and networking, as well. To register, call 221-5000, ext. 370.

The event is presented by Balance Network for Women, and is sponsored by Evergreen Credit Union and Maine Women magazine.

Freeport winter parking ban begins

The town of Freeport has enacted its annual winter parking ban from now until April 15. According to the town’s Public Works Department, parking is prohibited on all town streets from 11 p.m.-7 a.m.

For more information, call the Freeport Public Works Department at 865-4461.

Durham seeks mowing, ?plowing bids

The town of Durham is seeking bids from qualified contractors for the mowing and grounds maintenance at its facilities (not to include the Durham Community School) for a two-year period. The town is also seeking bids for plowing of town lots and walkway snow removal (also including the Durham Community School).

Criteria for awarding the contracts include annual cost, amount of increase for second year if any, references and history of performance with the town. The selectmen reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

Bid packets may be obtained from the town of Durham, 630 Hallowell Road, Durham during regular office hours, or by calling 353-2561, ext. 10.

Bids must be received by 3 p.m. on Nov. 15, at which time they will be opened. Bids will be presented to the Board of Selectmen for review on Nov. 20.

Chowdah Challenge raises $3,000-plus

Freeport Community Services’ annual “Chowdah Challenge” Oct. 20 raised more than $3,000 to help support the food pantry and fuel fund.

Local restaurants participating included the1912 Cafe?, Buck’s Naked BBQ, Freeport Cafe?, the Freeport Seafood Co., Gritty McDuff’s, Jameson Tavern, Harraseeket Inn, Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern, the Lobster Cooker and the Freeport Chowder House. Attendees paid $10 each to sample the various clam and seafood chowders.

According to Freeport Community Services, the winner for the best seafood chowder this year was the 1912 Cafe?, located in the L.L. Bean flagship store. The winner for the best clam chowder went to the Freeport Chowder House, which is located on Mechanic Street.

Freeport High School holding preseason info night

The Freeport High School athletic department will be holding a preseason informational night for parents and student-athletes on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.

It is essential that students and parents attend this event. This will be an opportunity to have questions answered, meet the coaching staff and hear directly from them regarding team/parent expectations.

This is also an opportunity for parents and individual sport booster groups to meet, organize and make final arrangements for the winter season. The information night will begin in the high school auditorium, and finish with individual team breakout rooms. For more information, call Athletic Director Craig Sickles at 865-4706, ext. 228 or by email to sickelsc@rsu5.org.

Freeport looking for ‘Citizen of the Year’

The town of Freeport is looking for one special resident to be named “Citizen of the Year.”

The Special Projects Committee of the Freeport Town Council is now collecting applications for the 2012 award. Recipients must be a resident of Freeport or part of a Freeport community group. According to an announcement on the town’s website, the winner must have demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of the town and its residents and have contributed to improvement in the circumstances of the lives of “a significant number of townspeople.”

The winner will be honored by the Town Council at a ceremony and will receive a commemorative plaque and will also have his or her name listed on a separate plaque in Town Hall.

Nomination forms are now available on the town’s website at www.freeportmaine.com, the Town Clerk’s office, the Town Manager’s office and the Freeport Community Library. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 10.