SALEM, N.H. — Kelley Library will hold a baked bean cook-off Saturday, Feb. 20.
The cook-off has been organized in conjunction with a presentation of "Baked Beans and Fried Clams: How Food Defines a Region" by New Hampshire author Edie Clark on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Contestants are invited to submit in two categories: traditional from scratch (recipes started with dry beans) and altered beans (recipes started from canned beans).
Judging begins at noon. Applications and rules are available at the library or may be viewed on the library's Web site, www.kelleylibrary.org.
A Valentine's event just for kids
SANDOWN — Sandown Public Library will present "Tales of Friendship" for children, ages 7 to 10, tomorrow from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Children's Room.
Participants will enjoy stories of friendship in advance of Valentine's Day. They will also make a friendship pen to take home.
Younger children are welcome to attend, but will need a parent's help on the craft project.
State of the city
METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi is gearing up to deliver his annual State of the City address.
He will give the speech on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Methuen Senior Activity Center, 77 Lowell St.
The free event is sponsored by the Methuen Board of Trade and the public is welcome. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
Artist of the month named
METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi named Greg Fallon as February's Artist of the Month.
Fallon majored in art history at University of Massachusetts Lowell and helped create a five-by-15 foot mural in the basement of the school's Coburn Hall. He has participated in several local art shows and released two self-published writings with illustrations. He has created art for other books as well.
He works as a materials planner at the Yoplait yogurt plant in Methuen, according to the mayor's office.
Senior computer classes offered
LAWRENCE — Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc. is accepting registrations for computer classes that begin the week of Feb. 22. Classes are at 360 Merrimack St. All classes are based on the Windows Vista operating system.
Two-hour workshops include basic digital photography, an introduction to Facebook, exploring Picasa, virtual travel agent, using Kodak easy share gallery, Internet bargain shopping, word art and clip art, maintaining your computer and more. There is a $15 fee for each workshop.
Six week classes, which are limited to five students per class, include an introduction to computers, Internet and e-mail, and using Windows Vista. The class fee is $60. All classes are open to adults, age 20 and older.
For information, or for a complete list of workshops and classes, call 1-800-892-0890, ext. 1516.
Hospital, library mark American Heart Month
HAVERHILL — Merrimack Valley Hospital and Langley Adams Library in Groveland will celebrate American Heart Month with three free events for the public.
On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Cardiologist Kenneth Adams will present a Meet the Expert seminar titled The Real Heartbreak of Psoriasis, the connection between the common skin disorder and heart disease, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the hospital's first floor auditorium. One free contact hour for nurses will be awarded at the end of the presentation. Light refreshments will be served. To register, contact Jean MacDougall-Tattan at 978-420-1168.
On Thursday, Feb. 18, hypnotherapist and wellness coach Addie Kania will demonstrate simple techniques to manage everyday stress and will lead a group-guided imagery/hypnosis session for health and wellness, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Langley Adams Library, 185 Main St., Groveland.
On Thursday, Feb. 25, the hospital will host a community Heart Healthy Food Challenge. Entrants will prepare their favorite heart healthy comfort food and bring the dish along with the recipe. Judging is at 3 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to Market Basket and the winning recipe will be on the hospital's menu for one week. For information about the Feb. 18 and 25 events, contact Sharon Archambault at Langley Adams Library at 978-372-1732. Merrimack Valley Hospital, 140 Lincoln Ave.
