Free presentation focuses on lung cancer

The American Cancer Society predicts nearly 229,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year in the United States. While smokers are of greater risk of developing cancer, people who have never smoked aren’t immune.

Learn about the risk factors of lung cancer, prevention measures (including smoking cessation), and the impact of the disease on the community during a free presentation on Tuesday, March 12, at the Lepage Large Conference Room at 99 Campus Ave. in Lewiston. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Hematologist and oncologist Dr. Mahesh Pandey, of St. Mary’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, will lead the discussion and answer questions about lung cancer.

The center’s lung cancer nurse navigator, Jennifer Hazen, will share resources available to individuals who want to quit smoking, including assistance with obtaining nicotine replacement therapies. Hazen will also discuss the immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking.

Seating is limited. To register, call 777-8458 by March 10, 2013.

Baxter Academy begins partnership

Baxter Academy for Technology and Science has established a sister-school relationship and will begin a long-term cooperation learning agreement with Lanxi No.1 High School located in the Province of Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China. The newly formed relationship aims to promote international program development focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) while enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two institutions.

Charter schools are public schools of choice students can decide to attend as an alternative to traditional public schools. Because charter schools operate independently of the public school system, they have more flexibility around curriculum, scheduling, and staffing.

Classes at Baxter Academy for Technology & Science are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Baxter Academy is Maine’s third public charter school. Tuition is free for any student living in any Maine town.

Baxter Academy is accepting applications for students entering the ninth and 10th grades in the fall of 2013. The school is capping enrollment at 160 students, total. Students interested in applying to the school should visit www.baxteracademy.org to fill out an application. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Baxter Academy located at 54 York St. in Portland.

More information and applications can be found at www.baxteracademy.org.

Dinner-theater benefit March 2

“Mystery at Our Class Reunion,” an interactive dinner-theater presentation with a mysterious theme, has been scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at 6 p.m., at the Royal Oak Room, 1 Bates St., Lewiston. Tickets are $75. Proceeds benefit the St. Mary’s Health System’s Enhanced Patient Care Area Fund.

Guests are encouraged to wear attire from the year they graduated high school. There will also be hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, cash bar, auctions, disc jockey and dancing.

Register online at www.stmarysmaine.com, call 755-3366 or email mellingwood@stmarysmaine.com.

Local students on USM dean’s list

The University of Southern Maine has announced full-time students who have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester. To be named, students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or above and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours. Local students include:

Durham: Elizabeth Chenevert, Amanda Lacasse Laflamme, Cassandra Swenson.

Freeport: Signe Alexander, Wilson Bristol, Sarah Brooks, Storme Charette,Tracy Charette, Corinne Davenport, Kaylah Dinsdale, Danielle Fernald, Sarah Hazzard, Grace Montgomery, Katee Poulin.

Pownal: Keely Anderson, Jenna Pope.

Session to give bikers expert advice

Dr. Bruce Hamilton-Dick, a sports medicine expert from St. Mary’s Center for Orthopaedics, will explain how to train and condition for biking season, Tuesday, March 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the Lepage Large Conference Room at 99 Campus Ave. in Lewiston. ??

Hamilton-Dick has an extensive background both as an athlete and in sports medicine. He was a nationally ranked triathlete, working with Ben Serotta at the Serotta International Cycling Institute. He has also worked with athletes in the U.S. Olympic Field Hockey Association, the Boston Red Sox, and the Worcester Ice Cats professional hockey club.

John Grenier from Rainbow Bicycle on Lisbon Street in Lewiston will also be on hand to answer questions about biking.

This presentation is free. Call 777-8481 to reserve a spot at the event, sponsored by St. Mary’s Center for Orthopaedics and Rainbow Bicycle. ?