Community Calendar

CALL FOR ENTRIES

THE 11TH ANNUAL WALK FOR WOMEN'S LIVES, which benefits five local agencies including Women's Protective Services in Framingham and the Network for Women's Lives in Concord, takes place on April 29 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Concord Armory, 81 Everett St., Concord. For registration and pledge forms, or to make a donation, call (978) 937-5777.

MARCH OF DIMES WALKAMERICA seeks participants for its 6.2 mile walk on Sun., April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Bancroft School, 110 Shore Dr., Worcester. Call (800) 244-9255.

THE NORTH EAST ROTTWEILER RESCUE AND REFERRAL holds its "Spring Stroll 2001" 1.4 mile all-breed dog walk on Sat., April 28, at 11 a.m. at the Hopkinton State Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m.; there is a $5 entry fee. Prizes given for three highest pledge raisers. Call (781) 337-6356 or visit www.rottrescue.org.

PROJECT BREAD seeks participants for its annual Walk for Hunger on May 6 at the Boston Common. Call (617) 723-5000 or visit. www.projectbread.org.

THE TRIBUTE FIVE-MILE ROAD RACE, which benefits Clinton High School students, seeks entrants for the event which takes place on May 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Church St., Clinton. The entry fee is $10, $12 after May 4. Call (978) 368-0176, ext. 750.

THE VOLUNTEER CENTER AT FITCHBURG STATE COLLEGE'S ON WINGS OF HOPE SPECIAL OLYMPICS 5K ROAD RACE/WALK takes place on May 5 at 9 a.m. at the Coolidge Park parking lot, John Fitch Hwy., Fitchburg. Pre-registration (May 1) fee is $10, day of event fee is $15. Call (978) 503-5839.

COMMUNITY NOTES

THE PLAY READING SALOON meets on the first Wed. of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg. Participants read from plays and screenplays; no experience required.

PRESERVATION WORCESTER holds its annual "Grand Tour of Gracious Homes," a private showing of Worcester homes of the 19th and 20th century," on May 6 from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of event. Call (508) 754-8760.

THE WORCESTER CULTURAL COMMISSION hosts its third Cultural Connection, an evening of fun, camaraderie, education, and networking event for artist, which includes a panel discussion on "How to Form an Artists' Cooperative," on April 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Art Well Studios and Gallery, 95 Prescott St., Building C, Worcester. RSVP at (508) 799-1400.

CROSS-DRESSERS/TRANSGENDERED

STEPPINGSTONE offers peer support, social activities, and a safe place to learn, grow, and laugh together. Write Box 3589, 4 E. Central St., Worcester 01613, call (508) 770-9044, or e- mail steppingstone4u@yahoo.com.

DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE HELP

THE RAPE CRISIS CENTER OF CENTRAL MASS INC. hosts a 24-hour hotline providing support to female and male survivors and others around sexual assault or abuse. Individual and group counseling, medical and legal advocacy, and HIV testing and counseling available. Call (800) 870-5905 (English) or (800) 223-5001 (Spanish).

GAY/LESBIAN

SAFE HOMES OF CENTRAL MASS helps gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth find foster homes, mentors, activities, and community resources. Drop-in centers offering creative activities and educational materials are held on Mon. from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Girls Inc., 125 Providence St., Worcester, and on Thurs. from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at YOU Inc., 81 Plantation St., Worcester. Call (508) 853-0430.

THE WORCESTER AREA NAKED GAYS (W.A.N.G.) welcomes all 21+ bi/gay men to bi-monthly socials. The next nude-mandatory event takes place on May 5. Call (508) 842-8885 or e- mail WANGMASS@aol.com.

HEALTH

WESTFIELD STATE COLLEGE will hold an informational session on their Worcester-based one-year Addiction Counselor Education program for people interested in an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug specific education or a career in addictions treatment on April 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at AdCare Hospital, 107 Lincoln St., Worcester. Call (413) 572-8034.

SUPPORT GROUPS

PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS, which supports single parents and their children with educational and social activities, holds a new member orientation on April 29 at 5 p.m. at McDonald's, Rte. 20, Auburn. Call (508) 721-0707.

VOLUNTEERS

ABBY'S HOUSE, a multi-service organization for homeless and battered women with or without children will soon hold an informational session for women interested in becoming volunteers. Call (508) 756-5486.

AIDS PROJECT WORCESTER seeks volunteers for its APW Buddy Program, which assists men and women living with HIV or AIDS as well as volunteers and walkers for its APW Community Pledge Challenge to be held on May 6 at Green Hill Park. Call (508) 755-3773.

DSS CENTRAL MASS. seeks volunteers to help review cases of children who have suffered from abuse and neglect. Volunteer Case Reviewers must be 18 or older, participate in a one-and-one-half day training session, and commit to review at least one case per month at offices in Worcester, Leominster, Athol, or Northbridge. Call Tammy Edmonds at (800) 423-2022, ext. 2266.