A spokeswoman for the antinuclear movement, Caldicott has devoted 35 years to educating the public about what she sees as the hazards of the nuclear age. She argues against nuclear power as a safe, affordable, and just alternative energy, and seeks to expose the adverse environmental and political consequences of its expansion.

Caldicott is the co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and the 2003 winner of the Lannon Cultural Freedom Prize. She divides her time between Australia and Washington, D.C., where she recently established the Nuclear Policy Research Institute.

The program is sponsored by Merrimack Valley People for Peace. A suggested donation of $10 is requested. Visit www.merrimackvalleypeopleforpeace.org for more.

Final hurrah to season at Beach Bliss '06

Say goodbye to summer in style with Seacoast Girls Beach Bliss '06 Saturday, Sept. 16, at Blue, the Inn on the Beach at Plum Island in Newbury.

Guests will visit the Grand Salon of Blue for shopping, spa services and gourmet-style food and drinks. Two sessions are available - one from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an another from 3 to 7 p.m.

There will be hors d'oeuvres from Rick's CafÉ and Grille of Kingston, N.H., and several special events. The morning session will include a presentation on perennial gardening for all seasons and a belly-dancing demonstration. Hailey Klein, author of "For Goddess' Sake," and a presentation on regaining control over food will be featured in the evening session.

Designers, area vendors and lifestyle service providers will showcase their clothing, accessories, housewares and services.

Admission is $45. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center of Greater Newburyport. Tickets must be purchased in advance at John Harding's Fragrance Bar on State Street in downtown Newburyport or at www.beachbliss06.com.

'Tidepooling for Kids' at wildlife refuge

Youngsters are invited to search for ocean critters in refuge tidepools tomorrow from 9 to 10 a.m. at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island. Refuge Ranger Jean Adams presents "Tidepooling for Kids" ages 4 to 7.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and meet at refuge parking lot seven. Advance registration is required. Call 978-465-5753, ext. 0, to speak to a staff member.

'Feng Shui Basics' for a positive life

Brian Brogan of Great River Feng Shui presents "Feng Shui Basics," a free interactive talk, tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jabberwocky Bookshop in the Tannery mall, 50 Water St., Newburyport.

Participants will receive a practical, common-sense approach to feng shui to help them start creating positive attractions in their life. Visit www.greatriverfengshui.com or call 978-290-0572 for more.

Fall classes at Amesbury's Unity on River

Unity on the River in Amesbury Plaza, 58 Macy St. (Route 110), Amesbury, is holding registration for its fall classes.

The schedule includes topics such as prosperity with guest speaker Edwene Gaines, spiritual development, nonviolent defense, healing and wellness, music and more.

There will also be an open studio for the arts program tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon in artist Paula Estey's studio adjacent to Unity. The program features classes in painting, acrylics, an artist's support group, poetry, clay mask-making, and goddess sculpting.

For more information, call 978-834-7830 or visit www.unityontheriver.org.

Audubon center seeks teacher-naturalists

Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, is recruiting new volunteer teacher-naturalists for its school and youth programs.

A three-week series of training classes meets Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 12 through 26. The training will provide an introduction to "nature education" and several teaching methods and techniques, a tour of Joppa Flats' newly renovated "green" building, a primer on the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, and a coastal ecology field trip to Sandy Point on Plum Island.

A full-day training is also planned for Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will include guided field walks in a variety of habitats that focus on identification of vegetation, invasive species, conservation practices, and areas of critical concern.

The training is free. Registration is required by Sunday. Call Lisa Hutchings, teacher-naturalist, at 978-462-9998 or e-mail lhutchings@massaudubon.org.

Civil War Roundtable talking 'Justice'

The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack meets Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Senior Center, 61 Lafayette Road (Route 1), Salisbury. "In Accordance with Justice" by Dave Smith will be the featured presentation.

Admission is free. Anyone with an interest in the American Civil War is invited. Call 978-462-8518.

Crisis Center holding volunteer training

The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is launching its Volunteer Training Academy on Sept. 14. The 10-week academy program will be held on Thursday nights from 6 to 9.

The goal of the academy is to provide community volunteers with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to appropriately assist victims of domestic violence.

Upon completion, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist the crisis center in a variety of programs and services, including its 24-hour hotline, court advocacy program and children's advocacy program. Volunteers with more limited time may work on special events and outreach programs throughout the year.

Contact Cintra Warden 978-465-0999, ext. 13, or cwarden@jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org for more.

Keys for Kids sampler on tap

Free sample lessons of Keys for Kids, a group piano instruction program, will be held Thursday, Sept. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at People's United Methodist Church, 64 Purchase St., Newburyport.

Call 978-834-3104, or visit www.keys-for-kids.com for information or to register.

Auditions toe up for new take on 'Nutcracker'

Newburyport's Firehouse Arts Center and Exit Dance Theatre are auditioning for a production of "Nutbuster" on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. at The Dance Place in The Tannery mall, 50 Water St., Newburyport.

A modern rendition of "The Nutcracker," "Nutbuster" will be performed Dec. 1 through 3 at the Firehouse, with music by Newbury fiddle E.J. Ouellette.

The auditions are open to performers in elementary school on up. No experience is necessary. Individuals must simply have a desire to perform movement theater with limited text. Children should wear comfortable clothes. Shoes are not needed. Call 978-462-7336 for more.

University Women talking 'Pay Equity'

"Pay Equity" will be the focus of a program presented by the Newburyport Branch of the American Association of University Women on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. at Rowley Public Library. Linda Brantley, director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, will be the speaker.

Future programs include an author's brunch, a meeting with one of the AAUW fellows studying for her doctorate in Boston, and a program titled "My Turn to Learn," which helps women return to college for a career change or enroll for the first time.

Membership in the association is open to women and men who have an associate's degree and above or the equivalent. Call Pat Gorton at 978-352-8931 for more.

Mommy/Daddy & Me Music open house

A free open house for Mommy/Daddy & Me Music takes place Monday, Sept. 18, at First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist Church, Pleasant Street, Newburyport.

A Babies & Toddlers class for newborns through 21/2-year-olds meets from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m., and a Nursery class for ages 21/2 to 5 meets from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Classes are taught by Claudia Keyian, a professional music teacher who has done extensive research in the area of early childhood musical development.

Children learn basic musical skills in classes featuring singing, circle games, movement with music, playing rhythm instruments, and more. Parents also learn the games and activities so they can continue them at home.

To register for the open house, call 978-462-3405 or e-mail claudia@claudiamusic.com.

'Taste of Autumn' fundraiser for Anna Jaques

Anna Jaques Community Health Foundation is making plans for its "A Taste of Autumn" wine tasting benefit on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the lawn of the Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water St., Newburyport. The event will feature wine, jazz and hors d'oeuvres.

Tickets are $45. Proceeds support surgical services at Anna Jaques. Guests must be at least 21 to attend. Call 978-465-1176 for more,

Honors Youth Choir auditioning voices

Chorus North Shore is holding auditions this month for its Honors Youth Choir. Tryouts take place Thursday, Sept. 21, at Rockport Baptist Church and Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Unitarian Church in Beverly, both at 4 p.m. Rehearsals begin Thursday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m. at Unitarian Church in Beverly.

The Honors Youth Choir is a tuition-free program open to youth ages 10 to 14 from throughout the North Shore who are selected to participate by audition. Sonja Dahlgren Pryor is its artistic director, with Mary Sepich as executive director.

The group will perform its own concert this season as well as be featured in a spring concert singing Brahm's "Requiem" with Chorus North Shore, a full symphony orchestra and professional soloists.

Call Sepich at 978-468-2841 or 978-356-4713 for more.

Amesbury Open Studio Tour seeks participants

Amesbury's 10th annual Open Studio Tour is set for Nov. 18 and 19 and is lining up participants.

The event is open to any artist or crafter who lives or works in Amesbury or has ever participated in the Amesbury Open Studio Tour. Past tours have featured more than 50 artists set up in 20 locations throughout town as well as music, entertainment and children's activities. Brochures listing all of the participants will be available in November.

The deadline to register is Oct. 1. The entry fee is $25, with a reduced fee of $16 for seniors and nonprofit groups. For a registration form, visit the lobby of Amesbury Town Hall or call Amy Sherwood at 603-380-1676.

Raffle for Patriots tickets benefits children

Highlow of the North Shore, a support group for children with Type 1 diabetes and their families, is holding a raffle for tickets to the Oct. 8 New England Patriots game against the Miami Dolphins.

Tickets are four for $20. Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For tickets, mail a check made out to JDRF to Julia Hart, 177 River Road, West Newbury 01985. A confirmation will be sent by e-mail. Or e-mail highlownorthshore@verizon.net for more.

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