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Swimmers and paddlers from across the country are invited to converge on Cape Cod for the Provincetown Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, A Community Benefit for AIDS & Women*s Health, celebrating its 16th year on September 6, 2003. The 2002 event raised $140,000 from 300 swimmers and paddlers, surpassing the million dollar mark. A total of $98,000 was disbursed to the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, the Family Tree/AIDS History Project, and the Art Archives. Business sponsors for this year to date include: The Provincetown Banner, Mike*s Movies/Boston, Paul Mitchell, KY Liquid, The New Crown & Anchor, Mussel Beach Health Club and David Flower Productions. The Swim for Life is sponsored in part by the Provincetown Tourism Fund and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

This popular post-Labor Day community festival will be held at the Boatslip Resort, 161 Commercial Street and includes the Celebration of Life Concert on Friday and the Mermaid Brunch at the Bas Relief Park following the Swim on Saturday. The Pool Splash for those unable or unwilling to cross the harbor invites swimmers to swim in a pool. New business awards will be presented to businesses who recruit and/or sponsor a swimmer and collect pledges.

For registration forms for swimmers, paddlers, security boaters, Pool Splash, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities or to make a donation, contact: Swim for Life, P.O. Box 819, Provincetown, MA 02657, 508-487-1930, e-mail, and at its Web site.

In 1997 the Circle of Honor was established to acknowledge the contributions of those who have either participated as a swimmer for 10 years or raised more than $10,000 in pledges. Circle of Honor members to date include: Don Richards, Ted Cass, Glen Cunha, Michael Dively, Daryel Duhaime, Keith Fein, Patrick Finn, Eddie Goldstein, Wendy Gulley, Ed Hudner, Lee Hughes, Raymond Johnson, Gracie Johnston, Jon MacClaren, Jean Lyon Martens, Bill Silvestri, Jonas Stankus, Joe Stewart, Steve Syta, John Tom, and John Tarrats. Last year*s David Asher Volunteer Award was issued to George Libone.

The Aids Support Group of Cape Cod, a Swim beneficiary, will host the 17th Annual ASGCC Silent & Live Auctions at Provincetown Town Hall, with honorar y co-chair comedienne performers Lea DeLaria and Maggie Cassella, and auctioneer Terry Catalano of Outer Cape Art Auctions. Fine art, antiques, gift certificates, travel packages and more. Silent Auction Friday, August 29, noon to 9 p.m.; Live Auction Saturday, August 30, beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, or to make a donation, call Gerry Desautels at 508-487-9445, ext. 48 or e-mail.  The Provincetown Community Compact, organizer of the event, is a private, non-profit, tax exempt organization founded in 1993 to support the arts, environment, and well-being of Provincetown. Compact projects include the C-Scape Dune Shack, Art Archives, the Family Tree/AIDS History Project, and Tennis for Life. It is a co-founder of the Academy of Art, Science, and Technology at Provincetown High School, and provides administrative support for artist and community projects.