Artists Peggy Omer and Terry Slater, whose paths have unknowingly crossed through the years, join together to present "Destination Newburyport," opening today in Laura Coombs Hills Gallery at the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St., Newburyport.

Slater and Omer both lived in New York and on California's Monterey Peninsula before their lives intersected in Newburyport. In their artwork, they say they both "choose color and composition that have a lightness and airiness to it, sometimes subtle yet glowing color."

Omer grew up in New York and studied oils, acrylic and water-based mediums at the New School of Art in Toronto, the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Antioch College in Ohio. She is showing off her watercolors inspired by her time in California in "Destination Newburyport." In addition to scenes of the Pacific coastline and Big Sur redwoods, flora and wildlife, her display will include North Shore sea and landscapes, Boston Red Sox drawings, and recent seascapes of Alaska and British Columbia.

Now a resident of Amesbury, Omer is a member of the Newburyport and North Shore art associations and has paintings in private collections across the country and abroad.

Slater, who also grew up in New York and studied fine arts at Southampton College in New York, worked in graphic design and illustration in New York and Massachusetts before returning to her fine arts roots. Now a Beverly resident, she works mixed media into her land and seascapes as well as still life inspired by the North Shore coast. She uses sandpaper, charcoal and pastels on paper, wood panel and clay board to create her works.

A member of the Newburyport, Marblehead, Salem and Lynn art associations, she is a graphic design and communications specialist at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly.

"Destination Newburyport" runs through Nov. 9. An artists' reception takes place Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org. For more details on the artists' work, see www.peggyomer.com and www.studionorthshore.com.

A very downtown trick or treat hits Port

Little ghosts and goblins, princesses and pirates will be making the rounds of downtown Newburyport tomorrow for the first Halloween trick or treat presented by the local retailers, businesses and restaurants.

The event goes from 4 to 5 p.m., before the official citywide trick or treat is planned, and all children are invited.

Participating businesses will be identified by a bright orange ribbon that will be affixed to the door. Among the participating stops are Alpine Shop. Amy Williams, Angie's Foods, Beach Plum Too, Bountiful Baskets by the Sea, Brass Lyon, Bridge Gallery, Celebration Destination, Comina, The Daily News, Eureka, Fowles Breakfast and Lunch, Gentry's Consignment, Headlines Boutique, JL Coombs, John Farley Clothiers, Inn Street Barbershop, Lively Kids, Nazarian's, Pottery Isle, Richdale, The Candle Shoppe at Partridge in a Bear Tree, Soak, The Ruby Slipper, The Studio, The Upper Crust Pizzeria and Valerie's Gallery.

Call the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry at 978-462-6680 for more.

'Bubblemania' floats its way into Newburyport

Comic "bubbleologist" Casey Carle brings his one-man show, "BubbleMania: Science, Art and Comedy," to Newburyport's Firehouse Center for the Arts Saturday for two shows.

"Bubblemania" combines comedy, science, music and an exploration of bubbles of unusual shapes, sizes and abilities. Among the many bubbles that will fill the stage are giant floating spheres, soap-film "serpents," bouncing bubbles, balanced columns of bubble foam, cube bubbles and bubbles that burst into flame.

Carle began his career as a clown in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and became the first entertainer in the country to encase a person in a bubble. Since then, he has parlayed his comedic timing, showmanship, science know-how and bubble-making expertise into a show that has garnered broad attention.

He has been a bubble consultant for Pepsi and Cirque de Soleil's "The Beatles LOVE." He was also crowned champion bubble artist after a five-day competition of the world's leading soap bubble performance artists in Japan.

He and his bubbles take the stage Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. The performances are supported by The Provident Bank. For tickets, call the Firehouse box office in Market Square at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org. To learn more, visit www.bubblemania.com.

Hometown American Idol at Georgetown High School

The Rotary Club of Greater Georgetown will crown its Hometown American Idol 2008 on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Georgetown High School, 11 Winter St., Georgetown.

Talented young performers will sing, dance and entertain their way to trying to win over the local celebrity panel of judges. First prize of $500 is up for grabs, with $250 going for second and $150 for third.

Call 978-352-6774 or 978-352-8881 for more.

'Some Like It Hot' Chili Cookoff in Rowley

Rowley serves up its seventh annual "Some Like it Hot!" Chili Cookoff Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish Hall, Main Street, Rowley.

The cookoff includes a chili contest judged by local celebrities with Ipswich Ale and Stone Cat ales, wine and Mercury soft drinks available for purchase, as well as other foods and dessert. Kids' crafts and activities, a 50/50 raffle and music by Scott Bernier and The Three Amigos Trio round out the day.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $25 for couples, and $30 for a family four-pack, and are available at Rowley Public Library and Old Town Bread in Rowley. Sponsored by Mercury Brewing and the Friends of the Rowley Public Library, proceeds from the event will benefit Rowley library programs. Call Janet Peabody at 978-973-4052 for more.

Greenbelt dedicating Newbury wildlife viewing platform

Essex County Greenbelt dedicates its new wildlife viewing platform at Wet Meadows on Scotland Road in Newbury on Sunday at 9 a.m. The platform provides a safe and stable place off the road for birders to set up telescopes for viewing a variety of species, including shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, raptors and others.

The platform will be dedicated to Judge Lawrence Jodrey and Gerald Soucy, longtime members of Greenbelt as well as of the Brookline Bird Club and frequent visitors to the Common Pasture area in Newbury and Newburyport.

Greenbelt's 46-acre Wet Meadows property is part of the more than 700-acre Common Pasture, which contains many ecological, scenic and agricultural values.

Call 978-768-7241 or visit www.ecga.org.

Spotlight on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Alaska's storied Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with two seasoned naturalists in an exhibit and program on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport.

Mark and Marcia Wilson will share their 19-day canoeing adventure on the Canning River on the western edge of the wildlife refuge. They navigated a 17-foot, folding canoe to explore 70 miles of Arctic wilderness known for being the land of 24-hour summer sun.

Avid naturalists with biology degrees and a keen focus on birds, the Wilsons photograph, write about, teach and share their passion for the natural world.

The program is presented by Newburyport Birders. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children under 12.

String quartet performs for Firehouse home concert series

The Chiara String Quartet will perform a benefit for Newburyport's Firehouse Center for the Arts on Sunday at 4 p.m. at a private home in West Newbury. The event is part of the Firehouse's Home Concert Series.

The string quartet embraces a "no-holds-barred" approach to a growing circle of newcomers and committed chamber music fans alike. It has been praised for its broad musical range. Its program will feature works by Mozart, Bartok and Brahms.

Tickets are $60 and include a pre-champagne toast and as well as post-dessert and coffee. Seating is limited to approximately 50 patrons, and reservations are required. Call 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org.

Crime fiction writer sits in at Jabberwocky

William G. Tapply reads from his latest thriller, "Hell Bent," tonight at 7 at Jabberwocky Bookshop in The Tannery, 50 Water St., Newburyport.

In the new read, Tapply's 24th Brady Coyne novel, the Boston attorney finds his past intersecting with his professional life when his ex-girlfriend asks him to represent her brother in his divorce. But before Coyne can counsel his new client, Gus is found dead in his apartment, an apparent suicide. Despite the ruling on Shaw's death, Coyne can't shake the feeling that Gus would not have taken his own life.

A resident of Hancock, N.H., Tapply is the author of more than two dozen crime fiction books, including "One-Way Ticket."

Tonight's reading is free. Call Jabberwocky at 978-465-9359 or visit http://jabberwocky.booksense.com.

Yuletide Antique Show fills Port church

The annual Yuletide Antique Sale is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport.

Thirty dealers will be selling their antiques and collectibles. A luncheon and snack bar will be available. Admission is $4. Call 978-465-7734.

'Crystals, Rocks and Minerals Trunk Show'

A "Crystals Rocks and Minerals Trunk Show" takes place Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Riverwalk Bead Shop and Gallery, 32 Elm St., Amesbury.

Crystals both locally mined and from around the world will be on display and for sale. Jerry Marchand, a geologist, miner and Celtic harpist, will lead the event. Admission is free. Call 978-388-3499 or visit www,riverwalkbeads.com.

Auditions set for Firehouse's New Works Festival

Auditions for the Firehouse Arts Center's annual New Works Festival are set for Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon and Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the theater in Market Square.

The festival, which spotlights new full-length and short works, will be presented Jan. 23 through Feb. 1. A total of two full-lengths and 14 short works have been selected to appear at the event from more than 100 submissions from around New England.

The program will be dedicated to Peter Honegger, artistic director of Busy Boy/Bad Boy Productions who presented several shows at the Firehouse and one of the judges who died suddenly earlier this month.

For an audition appointment, call Kim Jurney at 978-465-3414.

Solo exhibit for local plein air artist

Local artist Joanna Hammond, a founding member of the Bridge Gallery in Newburyport, displays her watercolor and acrylic paintings as the featured artist for November at Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland St., Newburyport.

A longtime resident of the Newburyport-Amesbury area, Hammond specializes in plein air painting. Many of her paintings are created on site outdoors, primarily in and around Newburyport. This year, she received an Excellence in Watercolor award in the Newburyport Art Association's Winter Juried show.

A member of the Newburyport and Seacoast Art Association, her art training began at the University of New Hampshire and continued at Eastern Michigan University. Since that time, she has continued her studies with many local and nationally known artists in a variety of classes and workshops.

Watercolorist takes turn at Wings show

Local artist Ann Jones shows off her watercolors in a new monthlong exhibit opening Saturday at Chase & Lunt Insurance, 47 State St., Newburyport.

A member of the Newburyport Art Association, Jones began painting in watercolor about 10 years ago, intrigued and challenged by what she says is the delicacy and power of the medium. While self-taught, she has attended workshops on color and values with artist Don Andrews.

Jones will show more than 20 of her paintings in the show, which is part of the Newburyport Art Association's Wings series. An artist's reception takes place Friday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 978-462-4434 for more.

Lawrence artist joins Port's Bridge Gallery

Judith Larmay of Lawrence is the latest artist to join the Bridge Gallery artists' cooperative at 113 Merrimac St. in Newburyport.

Larmay, who has been painting and writing since the age of 9, studied at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston and the former Bradford College. Her work has been recognized by Paint America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. She writes, paints, teaches and sells her artwork and books from her home studio and online.

"One of my artistic goals is to re-introduce to the new millennium a classical perception of perfected beauty and a spiritual reinstatement of hope and awe," she says in her artist's statement.

Bridge Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday from noon to 6 p.m.

Local cellist returns to Lighthouse Trio fold

Byfield cellist and singer-songwriter Kristen Miller is the featured guest for the Lighthouse Trio's monthly vintage music night on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Hobo's Cafe at 5 Broadway at Salisbury Beach.

Miller, who was named Jam Magazine's Female Artist of the Year for 2004, will perform during the 8 p.m. halftime show. Her CD, "Strange Little Valentine," which includes a Johnny Cash cover tune, has been charted on college and community radio stations nationwide.

The evening's entertainment begins at 7 with the Lighthouse Trio exploring its collection of vintage tunes from the '30s, '40s, and '50s. The trio features Lou Masiello, George Blodgett and Bob Allison. Recent University of New Hampshire music grad will take the solo spot on trumpet. Other musicians expected to drop by are singers Ellen Gutowski and Ellie Andrews, pianist Helen Murphy, and sax man Lin Ayer. "Litle Malcolm" Carnwath will also provide a short blues set.

A $5 voluntary cover is requested to support the ongoing music program. Call Hobo's at 978-465-4626 or visit www.CasablancaPiano.com.

Holiday Wine Tasting for Symphony by the Sea

Symphony by the Sea will hold its annual Holiday Wine tasting on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lyceum Restaurant in Salem.

Grammy Award-winning conductor and Music Director Donald Palma will be on hand to talk about the current season. The event will also feature music by Symphony by the Sea musicians, hors d'oeuvres and raffles. A variety of wines will be featured.

Tickets are $50 per person. Proceeds will support the Symphony by the Sea's performance season. Visit symphonybythesea.org or contact Patty McDermott, Symphony by the Sea president, at 978-462-4827 or pattymcdermott@comcast.net.

Comedy Night for Newburyport Rotary Club

Patty Ross, a former American Comedy Award nominee, headlines the Rotary Club of Newburyport's Comedy Night next Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport's Market Square.

Ross, who's been called "a female Jackie Gleason," headlines with Stephen Bjork, Jon Rineman and host Dave Rattigan.

Ross' experience ranges from opening for Andrew Dice Clay in 10,000-seat venues to receiving a standing ovation from a convention of Montessori Nuns. The American Comedy Awards nominated Ross for Best Female Guest-Star in a Sitcom for one of her appearances on "Roseanne," and she has appeared on numerous television shows and at comedy festivals.

Bjork has shared the stage with such comedians as Dane Cook and Steven Wright, and once opened for the legendary musical group The Platters. A native of North Hampton, N.H., Rineman is one of the rising comedians on the Boston scene. He has been writing on a freelance basis for Jay Leno since 2005 and has a popular blog, Rinemania.com.

Rattigan is appearing as the Newburyport Rotary Club comedy show's host for the third year. The comedian works at clubs and in theaters across New England, and his CD, "Dave Rattigan: Thinks He's Funny," has received considerable radio airplay.

Tickets are $25. A cocktail reception starts at 6:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30. Call the Firehouse at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org or www.ScampsComedy.com.

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