AUGUSTA — MaineGeneral Medical Center’s eighth annual Walk for Hope begins at Sam’s Club in The Marketplace at Augusta at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

The 5k walk is a non-competitive fitness and leisure walk to support the Women’s Imaging and Diagnostic Center in the new regional hospital. The walk begins at Sam’s Club and goes through the University of Maine nature trails. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. A pre-walk rally begins at 8:45, and the walk starts at 9 a.m.

Walkers who raise more than $100 will receive a special gift.

To learn more, call 861-8676 or 626-1809, or email [email protected].

Whitefield station dedication Saturday

WHITEFIELD — Whitefield’s new fire and rescue station will be formally dedicated at a ceremony starting at noon Saturday.

The station will be dedicated to longtime firefighter David Dixon. After the dedication, the station will be open for public tours. Refreshments will be served.

Katz, public to meet Oct. 29 at Lithgow

AUGUSTA — Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, will hold a “town square meeting” at Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop St., from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29.

“I hope residents of Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney and Vassalboro will join me at the beautiful library reading room,” said Katz. “I will give a brief summary on what has happened so far during this legislative session, but mostly I want to hear from people about their concerns and their ideas as we try to pull out of this recession and prepare Maine for the future.”

Katz is a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Senate chairman of the Government Oversight Committee.

Medicare enrollment now through Dec. 7

Medicare beneficiaries have from Saturday through Dec. 7 to enroll in or change a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Medicare Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies that are Medicare approved. The open enrollment period begins earlier this year to give more time to process changes to begin in January. Coverage will begin on Jan. 1, as long as the insurance company gets the request by Dec. 7, according to a news release from the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Medicare beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current Part D plans and are sure that nothing has changed in the plan’s coverage for 2012 do not need to do anything.

Medicare beneficiaries who are not happy with their Medicare Part D plans or who do not have a plan are urged to call their local Area Agencies on Aging at 1-(877) 353-3771. This is a free service and can help those on Medicare sort out all the options and make the most suitable choice.

Jazz fest auditions Friday at UMA

AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta will host instrumental and vocal auditions for the Maine All State Jazz Festival on Friday. Approximately 50 Maine secondary schools from Kittery to Caribou will send about 300 students to audition.

From the auditions, 70 students will be selected to participate in big bands, combos of different sizes and a jazz choir at the annual Maine All State Jazz Festival to be held in January. Friday’s auditions will take place in UMA’s Jewett Auditorium, in its Fine Arts Building and in its recording studio. Judges will include Maine high school music educators, local music professionals and members of UMA’s music faculty.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to hear the talent and promise of our state’s high school students,” said Tim Weir, a assistant professor of music and coordinator of UMA’s jazz and contemporary music program.

For more information, email [email protected].

‘Smart growth’ grant applications available

GrowSmart Maine is offering opportunities for communities interested in “smart growth” strategies.

Applications are now being accepted for free technical assistance from Smart Growth America through a five-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

For more information and an application form, visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org/ sc-tech-assistance. Full application guidelines as well as more details about individual workshops and a digital application form are all available there.

Compiled from staff reports