Armchair travel series starts Feb. 6

The Freeport Community Library begins an “Armchair Travel” series starting Feb. 6 that requires no packing and no passport.

According to library staff, several members and friends of the library have agreed to share their travels abroad with library patrons via photos and their own personal travelogue. Each presentation will take attendees to a beautiful and amazing destination with plenty of time to ask questions.

All presentations begin at 7 p.m. Here is the itinerary:

Monday, Feb. 4, Puglia, Italy with tour guide John Bowdren.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, barge through France with Ethel and John Wilkerson.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, sail to Newfoundland, St. Pierre and Miquelon with Burt Brewer and Chris Hastedt

For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com.

Comic George Hamm to perform for benefit

It will be a night of comedy in Freeport on Saturday, Feb. 16, as Maine comedian George Hamm will host a benefit show at the Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St., in Freeport.

Hamm, who is well known to Maine audiences, has also played across the country, including the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Improv in Los Angeles, The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory in Hollywood and the Laugh Factory in Hawaii. Hamm just returned to Maine from tours in China and Mexico.

The PG-13 standup show is a benefit for the Freeport Middle School Space Camp Team’s trip to Huntsville, Ala., home of the world famous U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and the show begins at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/312291.

L’Ecole Francaise du Maine ribbon cutting

L’Ecole Francaise du Maine will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new classroom and entrance to the school on Thursday Jan. 31, at 2:30 p.m. Fabien Fieschi, consul general of France, will officiate the event and will issue the full accreditation certificate by the French Ministry of Education for pre-school through grade 5. A reception planned by the school’s Parent’s Association will follow. Call 865-3308 to RSVP.

Responsible retailing session offered to local stores

Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Access Health and local law enforcement are sponsoring a free breakfast meeting for local retail stores that sell tobacco or alcohol. Open to all area retail owners or managers, the event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Southern New Hampshire University, 10 Tibbetts Drive in Brunswick.

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to network with other local retail managers to discuss alcohol and tobacco laws, learn about compliance programs, and share success stories about policies within their own establishments.

“Owners and managers of retail stores play a crucial role in reducing the use of tobacco and alcohol by Maine’s youth,” said Heidi Tucker, substance abuse coordinator for CASA. “By adopting policies and practices that will effectively block underage tobacco and alcohol sales, stores not only ensure they are in compliance with the law, but are also protecting our children.”

Coalition members will be on hand to notify participants about new improvements to the statewide NO BUTS! (Blocking Underage Tobacco Sales) program and will review the upcoming Maine-approved alcohol seller training program for stores holding a liquor license.

For more information or to register for the breakfast, call 373-6973.

Habitat for Humanity seeking applicants

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland is seeking applicants for two homes in Freeport targeted for construction in early 2013. The units will be constructed as part of a triplex in a new subdivision off West Street. Individuals and families seeking project and program information can call 772-2151.

Special pricing for cat neutering

“Beat the Heat” is an offer from Community Spay-Neuter Clinic in Freeport. The veterinary clinic will provide cat neuters, with rabies vaccination included, for $20 during the month of February.

Call for an appointment at 865-0772 or for more information, see www.communityspayneuterclinic.com.

Daffodil Days fundraiser launched

The American Cancer Society has launched of its annual Daffodil Days fundraising campaign.

Daffodil Days offers a bouquet of products:

• For a $10 gift, donors receive a bouquet of 10 fresh daffodil blossoms.

• Three mini-daffodil bulbs in a soil filled pot are available for a $15 donation.

• A bouquet of 10 daffodils and a Boyd’s collectible stuffed bear for a $25 donation.

• Gift of Hope: Daffodils are delivered anonymously to a cancer patient undergoing treatment for a $25 donation and up.

• Bear Hugs for Hope: Special edition, collectible bear is delivered anonymously to a child impacted by cancer for a $25 donation.

Flower and product orders can be placed now through March 1 by calling the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345 or making an online donation to a coordinator www.cancer.org/daffodils.

Delivery occurs the week before spring, beginning March 19.

According to the society, this longstanding program, which historically coincides with the coming of spring, is expected to raise $100,000 in Maine to support the fight against cancer.