Register now for Fight Back Festival

Registration is now open for the annual Fight Back Festival, a fundraiser for the Cancer Community Center in South Portland.

The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. The festival includes a 5K trail run and walk, bike rides of 10, 25 and 60 miles, a one-mile stroll, and a kids fun run. All participants are also free to enjoy a barbecue lunch, live music and children’s activities.

The mission of the Cancer Community Center is to support and promote the well being of people living with cancer, along with their families and friends. For more than a decade, the center has helped thousands of adults cope with the effects of cancer by providing emotional and social support.

The fundraising goal for this year’s Fight Back Festival is $110,000. See FightBackFestival.org to register or email Jennifer Nelson at jnelson@CancerCommunityCenter.org for more information.

Fall theater features Broadway hits

This month, local theatergoers have the opportunity to see two Tony-award winning Broadway musicals.

Up first is “Avenue Q” at Lyric Music Theater, which opens on Friday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. The show runs through Oct. 4 and tickets are $21.99 for adults and $17.99 for seniors. Call 799-1421 or go to www.lyricmusictheater.org for reservations.

This Broadway hit is a puppet-filled comedy with a delightfully catchy score that won three Tony Awards – best musical, score and book. It tells the timeless story of a recent college grad who moves into a shabby New York City apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets the girl next door, and other colorful friends, who help him to finally discover his purpose in life.

Then, on Friday, Sept. 26 “Les Mise?rables” opens at the Portland Players. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The musical runs through Oct. 19 and ticket prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for students with ID. Call the box office at 799-7337 or buy tickets online at www.portlandplayers.org

Based on the classic novel of the same name by French novelist Victor Hugo, “Les Mise?rables” transports the audience to early 19th century France and shares the struggles and triumphs of Jean Valjean, a French peasant on a quest for redemption.

After serving 19 years in prison for having stolen a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister’s child, Valjean decides to break his parole and start his life anew. Unfortunately, he is relentlessly tracked down by Javert, a police inspector with an especial hatred for Valjean.

Along the way Valjean and a host of other compelling characters are swept into a revolution where young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. One of the most celebrated musicals of all time, “Les Mise?rables” has been in continuous production around the world since 1980.

Maine Open Lighthouse Day celebrated

The annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and both the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland and the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth will be open for tours.

Visitors to the Spring Point Ledge light have the opportunity to explore the interior of a working lighthouse, as well as enjoy magnificent views of Portland Harbor. The lighthouse was built in 1897 and is located at the end of Fort Road in South Portland. Call 866-570-5703 or go to http://springpointlight.org for more information.

Portland Head Light was commissioned by President George Washington and built in 1791. It’s located on a rocky headland in Cape Elizabeth’s Fort Williams Park. This landmark lighthouse is one of the most visited and photographed in the world. Call 799-2661 or go to www.portlandheadlight.com for more information.

Bank offers free shredding

The Saco & Biddeford Savings branch in Scarborough will host a free document- shredding event, which is open to the community, on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. With identity theft on the rise, it’s important to ensure your most important documents are disposed of correctly. Call 883-2955 for more information.

Police offer women’s self defense seminar

On Thursday, Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m., the Scarborough Police Department will host a women’s self-defense seminar at Pro Fit, located at 6 Lincoln Ave.

Instructor Paul Fenton will teach participants basic self-defense tactics. The seminar is open to those ages 13 and up. The cost is $15 and space is limited.

To register, or more information, call 219-8155 or email profit2workout@gmail.com.

Upcoming senior events

With summer winding down, Scarborough Community Services is ramping up its 55-plus program offerings, from movie matinee days at Piper Shores to weekly Wednesday lunches to a trip to the Fryeburg Fair.

To register for any of the following events, call 730-4150 or go online to www.scarboroughmaine.org/departments/community-services/55-program.

• Monday Bingo, 12:30-2 p.m., Scarborough Terrace

Enjoy this lively game for $2, which gets attendees unlimited cards. Bring a bag lunch, coffee and snacks provided.

• Weekly Wednesday Lunches for September include a catered lunch and informative program. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $5 for those 60 and up or $7 for those under 60.

• Lunch Brunch, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m.

Cost is $5, plus cost of meal. Sept. 11 Lunch Brunch will be held at Mulligan’s in Biddeford. Sept. 18 event will be at Bay Haven in Cornish.

• Attend local theater, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m.

Bus departs from Scarborough High School. Total cost is $15. On Sept. 18 enjoy “Avenue Q” at Lyric Theater. On Sept. 25 be swept away to 1800s France with a performance of “Les Miserables” at the Portland Players.

• Movie Matinee, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m.

Bus leaves from Scarborough High School. Free.

• Learn to Operate your iPad, Sept. 23, 4:40-5:30 p.m.

Scarborough Town Hall. Cost is $30 and participants must bring their own iPad.

• Simple and Tasty Meal Prep, Friday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,

Learn to prepare cheesy potato soup and dumplings with Chef Jane at Kitchen & Cork. Cost of program is $20.

• Fryeburg Fair, Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Total cost is $20 for those under 65. The Fryeburg Fair is Maine’s largest agricultural fair.

Local ballot set in Scarborough

This fall seven candidates are set to compete for three available seats on the Scarborough Town Council, according to Town Clerk Yolande Justice.

Nomination papers were due on Sept. 3 and those qualified to run for the council are former councilor Shawn Babine, Roger Beeley, incumbent James Benedict, Peter Hayes, William Somers and incumbents Katherine St. Clair and Richard Sullivan, who is the council chairman.

There will also be competition for the three open seats on the Sanitary District Trustees, Justice said. There are four candidates running this fall – incumbents Charles Andreson, Jason Greenleaf and Robert McSorley, along with Ronald Bonneau.

Only two candidates turned in papers to run for the two available seats on the Board of Education, Justice added. Those running are incumbents Christine Massengill, chairwoman of the school board, and Kelly Noonan Murphy.

In addition, the Town Council has also approved two local bond questions. The first is a $585,000 bond to purchase a new fire truck, and the second is a $478,900 measure to pay for a town-wide property revaluation.

Justice said absentee ballots would become available beginning Oct. 6. Election Day is Nov. 4, and all residents vote at Scarborough High School. Polling is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Along with the local candidates and issues, residents will also be voting on governor, congressional seats and seats at the State House in Augusta, in addition to several statewide referendums.

Call the clerk’s office at 730-4020 for more information, including registering to vote.

– Kate Irish Collins

Walk benefits mental illness support

The Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is holding a fundraising walk at the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m.

Registration for the 5K walk begins at 9 a.m. Go online to www.namimaine.org and click on the events tab for more information about the event, including how to register in advance.

More than 1,000 people are expected to walk in support of mental health, hope and recovery and to help end the stigma of mental illness.

Last week, the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department held its annual car show at Bug Light Park. The field at the park was filled with classic cars and trucks on display, drawing a crowd of interested spectators. The event also included food vendors and more.  Classics up close