CALENDAR 

COMMUNITY CHOICE
Tempt the palate at a winter wine and chocolate tasting

WESTMINSTER - Tempt the palate at a winter wine and chocolate tasting from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at the Wachusett Village Inn, 9 Village Inn Road. The event, sponsored by the Ashburnham Westminster Rotary Club, includes hors d'oeuvres, carved beef, a variety of wines, and a symphony of desserts. Tickets are $25 per person, available from any Rotary member or at the Inn front desk. Tickets price includes food, wine tasting, and door prize entry for a case of wine. For information, call (978) 874-2000.

1 FRIDAY

Dr. Chola Chisunka, professor of English at Fitchburg State College, will present "Memories of Roots" at 3:30 p.m. in the Hammond Campus Center Main Lounge. The event will focus on the importance of remembering the past in order to prepare for the future. Call (978) 665-3399.

2 SATURDAY

People's Church, located at 56 South Main St., Ashburnham, will host a Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Peoples Food Pantry.

Life in Balance will host the workshop "Stress Solutions & Positive Thinking" from 2 to 5 p.m. at 42 Main St., Suite 9, Leominster. Cost is $50. For information, or to register call (978) 660-4833.

The Westminster Democratic Town Committee will hold its annual caucus promptly at 2:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 127 Main St., Westminster, to elect delegates and alternates to the 2008 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. Westminster residents at least 18 years old and registered as Democrats as of Dec. 31, 2007, are welcome to attend and run for a delegate or alternate position. Call Kimberly Caisse at (978) 833-6163.

A Saturday Night Supper will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 60 West St., Leominster. Chicken, potatoes, vegetables, homemade desserts and beverage will be served. Tickets are $6; $5 for seniors; $3 for children ages 12 to 5 (under 5 eat free). Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (978) 537-3560.

Interclass Competitive Plays will take the stage at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School at 7 p.m. at the school, 45 Harvard St., Fitchburg. Under the guidance of Robert Healy, students direct and act in four one-act comedies performed by the class of 2008 through 2011. Each play will be judged by local theatre experts. Following the plays, awards will be presented. General admission, at the door, is $5. Call (978) 342-3212.

Bill Mallia and the Gulf Stream Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the Kahvila Christian Coffeehouse at Messiah Lutheran Church, 750 Rindge Road, Fitchburg. Donations are welcome. Coffee, hot chocolate, Finnish coffee bread, and other refreshments will be available. Call (978) 343-7397.

Crossroads Coffeehouse presents Sam Bowen at 7:30 p.m. at Nashua Valley Christian Church, 680 Mechanic St.,  Leominster. Doors open at 7 p.m. Call Lisa Holley at (978) 534-8507.

3 SUNDAY

A Locks of Love Benefit will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Outlooks Hair Salon, 266 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg. Donate 10 inches of hair or a $10 or more donation. The event features free t-shirts for the first 20 customers, raffles, chair massages and more. For information, or to make an appointment, call (978) 582- 0168.

Life in Balance will host the workshop "Stress Solutions & Positive Thinking" from 2 to 5 p.m. at 42 Main St., Suite 9, Leominster. Cost is $50. For information, or to register, call (978) 660-4833.

Dance2Swing presents DJ AlanHep2the- Jive at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Eagles Hall, 456 Litchfield St. Admission is $10. A beginner-friendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Visit www.dance2swing. com or call (978) 263-7220.

4 MONDAY

The Yarn Basket, located at 12 Ray Ave., Fitchburg, will hold a Charity Night from 6 to 9 p.m. All knitters and crotchetiers are invited to make up hats, mittens, scarves, helmet liners, afghans for wounded soldiers, baby afghans for Project Linus, preemie caps for Children's Hospital and chemo caps for the Oncology Unit at Burbank Hospital. Bring a favorite baked goodie; coffee, soda and water will be provided. Participants will receive 20 percent off any purchase and be entered into a free raffle. Call Dianne or Sandy at (978) 353-6796.

5 TUESDAY

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. For information, or to make an appointment, call (800) 448-3543. Walk-in donors welcome.

The 1977 mini-series "Roots" will be shown in six parts over the month at Fitchburg State College. Viewings are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today, Feb. 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21 in Ellis White Lecture Hall. After all six viewings, a faculty discussion will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 3:30 p.m. in Ellis White Lecture Hall. The topic is "How 'Roots' Captivated and Affected the Nation." Call (978) 665-3399.

"Pre-Season Training for the Throwing Athlete" will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Physical Therapy Plus At Whitney Field, 21 Cinema Boulevard, Leominster. Discover common throwing injuries and causes, proper throwing mechanics, pre-season strengthening techniques and life in the "big leagues." Free, however registration is required by calling (978) 534-5922.

6 WEDNESDAY

Life in Balance will host "Reduce Fear & Stress During Cancer Treatment" beginning today through March 12, at 42 Main St., Suite 9, Leominster. This weekly group session will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per session. For information, or to register, call (978) 660-4833. The Fitchburg-Westminster Ashburnham Babe Ruth League will hold its 2008 Spring registrations from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Reingold Elementary School, 70 Reingold Ave., Fitchburg. Players age 13 to 15 (as of May 1, 2008 are eligible to register). Call Tom Sarasin (508) 331-3277 or (978) 790-2721.

7 THURSDAY

Always On Call Health Services, Inc. will offer an American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR course (includes CPR for infant, child, adult and AED) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 285 Central St., Suite 214, Leominster. For people who work within the healthcare industry and nursing school students. Advanced registration is required by calling Maria at (978) 537-9900, Ext. 204.

A free American Red Cross "Pandemic Flu" Informational Training Program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Always On Call Health Services, Inc, 285 Central St., Suite 217, Leominster. Light refreshments served. For information, or to register, call Maria Iacobone at (978) 537-9900, Ext. 204.

Life in Balance will host "Manage Your Chronic Pain - Don't Let it Manage You!" beginning today through March 6, at 42 Main St., Suite 9, Leominster. This weekly group session will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per session. For information, or to register, call (978) 660-4833. A Valentine's Day Card family craft night will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Enjoying making cards for a loved one or even a soldier stationed overseas. Materials provided. Call (978) 345-9635. The Great Decisions program will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 9 South St., Westminster. Diplomacy will be the topic in terms of how the U.S. deals with international challenges of allies and enemies, states and movements. Former Ambassador George Lane and Dr. Kevin Hart will lead the program. To sign up and receive a book, visit the public service desk or call (978) 874-7416. Course Selection Night - for 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade parents will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Dr., Ashburnham. Call (978) 827-5907.

The Ashburnham Planning Board will hold a Public Forum at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1 Memorial Drive. Town residents, boards/committees and staff will provide input on the development of a Wind Facilities Zoning Bylaw for a future Town Meeting (not this May Annual Town Meeting).

Afro-Peruvian ensemble Peru Negro brings a celebratory carnival of songs and dances at 8 p.m. in Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. Prior to the performance, a lecture/demonstration on the instruments and music behind Peru Negro will be held at 12:30 p.m. in Kent Recital Hall. Free. A spotlight talk will be held at 7:15 p.m. in Weston Auditorium. Peru Negro company members will talk about their music and dance traditions. For information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

8 FRIDAY

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sterling National Country Club, 33 Albright Road,

Sterling. The first 100 donors will receive a lift ticket to Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. (certain restrictions apply). For information, or to make an appointment, call (800) 448-3543. Walk-in donors welcome.

Eddy's Chowder House will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church Hall, 10 Church St., Westminster. Call Louise Rathier at (978) 874-0639.

9 SATURDAY

Registered Democrats in Ashburnham will be holding a caucus at 11 a.m. in the COA room at the VMS Building, 1 Memorial Dr.,

Ashburnham, to elect four delegates and two alternate delegates to the 2008 Massachusetts Convention. Contact Nancy Rosbury at (978) 827-4205, First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold a Roast Pork Supper with open seating from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The family-style supper features pork roast, vegetable, beverage, and homemade pie for dessert. Tickets are $8; $4 for children (children under 5 free). Call (978) 939-2784.

Fitchburg Lodge of Elks No. 847 will host a Chicken Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 860 Ashby State Road, Fitchburg. Dinner will include a half roasted chicken with vegetables, salad, dessert and coffee for $6. Tickets must be prepaid by Feb. 7 (no tickets will be sold at the door). Tickets can be purchased by calling Sigi Bursch at (978) 549-8005 or Margrit Koula at (978) 342-8480 or at the lodge after 4 p.m. daily.

The Boulder Coffeehouse presents Randy Browning at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Fitchburg, 923 Main St. Browning is a modern folk musician, playing and writing a variety of acoustic music on guitar, slide guitar and old-time banjo. His music blends folk, blues, ragtime, and contemporary songwriting. Proceeds will be split between the host church and Community Works. Call (978) 345-2661.

A Valentine Dance will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. at The Finnish Center at Saima Park, 67 Scott Road, Fitchburg. Music for dancing will be performed by Veikko Honkala and Juhani Puutio. Refreshments served. Tickets are $10 per person.