Cape church hosting ‘Jazz Sunday’

On Sunday, Feb. 15, the United Methodist Church in Cape Elizabeth is hosting “Jazz Sunday” during its 10 a.m. service. The event will feature Mardi Gras-style music throughout the service on the final Sunday before lent. A pancake brunch will be served following the special worship service. Then, on Sunday, Feb. 18, the parish will hold its Ash Wednesday service at the church, 280 Ocean House Road, 7 p.m. For more information, call 799-8396 or visit www.ceumc.org.

Food vendors sought for 2015 season

The town of Cape Elizabeth is seeking four applicants for food vendor permits at Fort Williams for the 2015 season. The Fort Williams Advisory Commission approved the continuation of the food-vending program on Jan. 15. Two sites are available for bidding at north and south of Portland Headlight and one at Ship Cove Beach. The fourth site, at the channel overlook, was renewed and is not available for bid.

According to the Cape Elizabeth town website, vendors may submit proposals for one, or for any combination of permits, which will be valid from April 5-Nov. 7. Information on the minimum bid and other requirements can be seen on the request for proposals, which can be obtained from the director of public works, Robert Malley, at 799-4151 or robert.malley@capeelizabeth.org.

Proposals should be submitted in sealed envelopes, marked “Fort Williams Park Food Vendor,” to the office of the Town Manager, 320 Ocean House Road, P.O. Box 6260, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 before 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, when they will be publicly opened and read. No late, facsimile or electronic bids will be accepted. Permits will be awarded no later than March 9.

Library holds ‘Family Hootenanny’

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m. the Scarborough Public Library will host a “Family Hootenanny” with banjo player Duncan Perry. This event will offer a fun, toe-tapping morning of music and audience participation for all ages.

Then on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10:30 a.m., Gracie the therapy dog will make a special visit to the library. Both events are free and open to the public. Call 883-4723, ext. 3, or see www.scarboroughlibrary.org for more information.

Library friends open bookshop

The Friends of the South Portland Public Library will open its new bookshop on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The shop, which will be located on the bottom floor of the library, will feature a variety of books for all ages, including fiction and non-fiction. All proceeds will be used to support library programs. Call 767-7660 for more information.

Hockey team supports food pantry

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. the Portland Pirates hockey team will host South Portland Night at Cross Insurance Arena in downtown Portland.

On that night the team will donate $3 off all main deck seats to the South Portland Food Cupboard. Come see the Pirates take on the Wolf Pack from Hartford. Ct., and support a good cause. Tickets can be purchased online at www.portlandpirates.com or by calling 747-2837.

Legoland Center trip on tap

The South Portland Parks and Recreation Department is offering a family trip to the Legoland Discovery Center in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 28. The cost is $45 per person and includes transportation and admission to the center. This trip is specifically recommended for kids ages 3-10. Sign up online at www.southportland.org.

Police to offer self-defense class

The South Portland Police Department is offering a free self-defense class for women on Thursday, Feb. 19, 8 a.m.-noon. Contact Officer Linda Barker at lindba@southportland.org or 799-5511, ext. 7424, to register or for more information. The police department offers this program to the public periodically.

SMCC to hold small business conference

Southern Maine Community College in South Portland will hold its third annual Launch or Grow Small Business Success Conference on Friday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Registration is now open. See www.smccME.edu/sbs or call 741-5758 to register or for more information. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

The daylong conference, sponsored by the college’s Entrepreneurial Center, will feature a keynote presentation, workshops, networking opportunities, a vendor fair and a “Shark Tank”-type event where selected participants can pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts.

Vote for Project GRACE

Project GRACE in Scarborough is among six local nonprofits chosen by Bangor Savings Bank’s to take part in its annual Community Matters More grant-funding campaign.

The top vote-getting organizations in each of the eight regions across the state, including Cumberland County, will receive $5,000 each, while the remaining 60 nonprofits named by the bank will receive $1,000 each.

Voting is available online and by paper ballot at any Bangor Savings Bank location. A complete list of voting guidelines, eligibility requirements for write-in nominations and online ballots is available at www.bangor.com/cmm.

In addition to the six nonprofits for each region, which the bank has already chosen, voters can also write in their favorite charity or service organization. Voting is open now and closes on Feb. 28.

Along with Project GRACE the other nominees in Cumberland County are Casa, Inc., Girls on the Run-Maine, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program, and Simple Gifts.

At Casa the goal is to provide quality live-in facilities for clients of all ages with developmental disabilities or highly specialized medical needs. At Simple Gifts the mission is to provide limited financial support and encouragement to patients and their loved ones who are experiencing a medical crisis.

The tagline for Project GRACE, which stands for granting resources and assistance through community effort, is “we are neighbors helping neighbors.” The goal is to provide support and resources in a “compassionate, confidential manner” to those in need in the Scarborough community.

Last year, Ruth’s Reusable Resources, which started in Scarborough, earned the $5,000 prize for Cumberland County and the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham was one of the two top write-ins and received $1,000.

Musical lampoons corporate life

On Friday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. the Tony Award-winning musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” opens at Lyric Music Theater in South Portland. Tickets are $21.99 for adults and $17.99 for students and seniors.

The show, which is a lampoon of life on the corporate ladder, tells the story of J. Pierrepont Finch, who encounters many stereotypical situations on his rise to the top. The show also includes a great score, featuring songs such as, “I Believe In You,” “The Company Way” and “Brotherhood of Man.”

The show runs through March 7. Show times are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. See www.lyricmusictheater.org, call the box office at 799-1421 or email ticketslyric@gmail.com to order tickets or more information.

How to Succeed