The Portland Museum of Art participates in Space Gallery's Block Party with Artist projecton September 11.

On Saturday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Portland Museum of Art's front patio will be the launch site for artist Andrea Zittel's new project the Group Formerly Known as Smockshop (GFKAS), as part of SPACE Gallery's outdoor art and music Block Party on Congress Street. Sponsored by the Quimby Colony, GFKAS members will be creating and selling products made out of rectangular-shaped fabrics on the Museum's front patio. GFKAS is an artistic enterprise that generates income for artists whose work is either non-commercial, or not yet self sustaining and includes artists from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Ghana, and South Portland. The Museum will be open extended hours until 9 p.m.

Andrea Zittel's work is internationally recognized, exploring all aspects of day-to-day living. Clothing, food, and furniture all become the sites of investigation in an ongoing endeavor to better understand human nature and the social construction of needs. The GFKAS project succeeds smockshop, a similar endeavor in which artists produced more than 300 simple garments, as reinterpretations of Zittel's designs.

GFKAS products begin with a simple rectangular product or "panel" in which each artist then interprets according to their own skills, interests, and special talents. These rectangular designs, which include garments, accessories, household items, and printed projects, all have the capacity to contract and expand, morphing from single surfaces to fully functional objects.

The GFKAS project launch in Portland is made possible by the collaboration of SPACE gallery, Portland Museum of Art, and the Quimby Colony, a new nonprofit urban artist residency program. The Quimby Colony is sponsoring the GFKAS artists and will be hosting them at their artist residency building on Congress Street.

Artist Andrea Zittel trained at San Diego State University and Rhode Island School of Design. Recent solo exhibitions include Galleria Massimo De Carlo, Milan, Italy; Sadie Coles HQ, London, England; New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Whitney Museum of American Art at Altria, New York; and Schaulager, Basel.

For more information on GFKAS, visit www.formerlyknownas.smockshop.org and on the SPACE Gallery Block Party, visit www.spacegallery.com.

MaineLine Coalition Hosts Celebrity Golf Tournament to Benefit Haiti Rebuilding Efforts on September 13.

MaineLine, a non-profit coalition of diverse Maine businesses founded in 2010 to provide a direct response to disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, is hosting its first annual celebrity golf tournament - Do Good with Your Game - on Monday, September 13, 2010, at Nonesuch River Golf Club in Scarborough. All proceeds will directly benefit rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Celebrities involved include local radio and television personalities, business leaders and politicians such as Teddy McKay of WJBQ, Herb Ivy of WBLM, Tim Moore and G.V. Rapp of WHOM, and Dean Scontras, a congressional candidate for Maine's District 1.

Since February, the coalition has been assessing the needs of multiple aid sectors on the ground in earthquake devastated Haiti with the help of Darcy Pierce, a local international aid expert and a senior partner with Envoy. The coalition has identified helping children and their communities as the primary focus for its efforts in Haiti and plans to build 10 schools/community centers. Each facility will cost on average $50,000 to build. Construction on the first site is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2010. It will take about nine months to a year to complete all 10 schools.

The first school will be built in Cabaret, a village about one hour north of Port-au-Prince. The small village has grown to a population of 7,500 people as victims leave the hard-hit capital. The village's pervious school was severely damaged by the earthquake and there are no community or government buildings. The school will accommodate approximately 300 students in grades one through six.

"There are many wonderful organizations dedicated to delivering catastrophic relief aid but often monies raised either sit waiting clearance to address a particular need or may be redirected to a new relief cause," said Graham Smith, president of Macdonald Page & Co LLC, a member of MaineLine's leadership committee. "What makes MaineLine unique is that we want to ensure dollars raised in Maine are targeted for a direct and specific need that will have a definite impact on Haiti and its people. We're excited to begin building the first of 10 schools/community centers and provide the children and their families a safe and well-constructed place to learn, play and meet as a community."

To raise funds for this important rebuilding effort, MaineLine has organized its first golf tournament - Do Good with Your Game. For a foursome, tournament fees are $500; for an individual $125 and includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, a commemorative shirt, lunch and photo opportunities with celebrities. Additionally, the day's program includes prizes for "closest to the pin" and "longest drive," and a free car from Casco Bay Ford for the winner of its sponsored "hole-in-one challenge." Tournament registration and the silent auction will open at 7:30 a.m. Highlights of the silent auction include: a personalized signed photo of former president George W. Bush; a leather-bound signed edition of "All the Best" by former president George H. W. Bush, a signed copy of one of Barbara Bush's bestselling books "Reflections" or "Memoirs," an overnight stay from the Inn on Peaks Island and merchandise, signed CDs and four tickets to a show at Merrill Auditorium from comedian Bob Marley. To become a player, download the registration form and mail a check to MaineLine or book online through Pay Pal.

The golf tournament's exclusive sponsor is Reed & Reed, one of Northern New England's leading heavy general contractors and a member of MaineLine's leadership committee. Many other companies have joined the effort to provide support that day including DiMillo's on the Water, Coca Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England, Shipyard Brewing Company and New England Coffee. Corporate sponsorship packages are available and range from $995 to $2,000. Additional sponsorship opportunities from $50 to $500 still remain as well. The deadline to become a sponsor is August 30, 2010. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities visit http://maineline.org/Sponsorships.pdf.

MaineLine currently consists of almost 40 Maine companies and small businesses. To view a complete list of participating companies, visit http://www.maineline.org/member-companies.php.

MaineLine is actively working to expand coalition membership to increase business participation throughout the state. Membership is open to any Maine company regardless of size and industry. MaineLine will serve as a framework for Maine businesses to respond to future global disasters and could one day be a model for the nation on how businesses in a state can come together to implement a strategic solution to provide forward-thinking planning in advance of a catastrophic situation.

Acorn Productions presents Naked Shakespeare in Monument Square on September 13

The performance by the Westbrook-based troupe includes several speeches from Double Falsehood, a play recently attributed to Shakespeare outdoor installment of the company's popular "Sonnets and Soliloquies" on Monday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Monument Square in Portland. The performance begins with tableside sonnets, and continues with a sequence of speeches and short scenes from various plays, including 4 selections from Double Falsehood, a play that scholars have recently concluded was a late-period collaboration between Shakespeare and John Fletcher. With the help of Gorham-based Transformit, Naked Shakespeare will transform the square into a vibrant performance space through the use of Transformit's signature colorful fabric installations. While members of the public are welcome to watch the performance as they pass through the square after work, there will also be a more formal audience area set aside as a "beer garden" in which beer and wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The performance is free with a $10 suggested donation requested to support the work of Naked Shakespeare.

MaineBiz honors 2010 Women to Watch at the Landing at Pine Point on September 23.

Mainebiz will host a reception on Sept. 23 to honor its 2010 Women to Watch honorees at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough. This year's honorees are recognized in five categories: Mary Howes, president of Howie's Welding & Fabrication and managing principal of Otis Mill Ventures, represents the construction & real estate category; Nan Heald, executive director at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, represents the nonprofit category; Lisa Dickson, regional manager and principal scientist at Kleinfelder/S E A Consultants, represents the professional services category; Susan Corbett, CEO of Axiom Technologies LLC, represents the communications category; and Susan MacKay, president of Zeomatrix, represents the technology category.  

"These women inspire us all through their determination, vision and resourcefulness," said Mainebiz editor Carol Coultas. "Their accomplishments are even more impressive when judged against the backdrop of the Great Recession. They are exceptional leaders and we are excited to present their stories to our readers."

The five Women to Watch honorees are profiled in the Aug. 9h issue of Mainebiz. The Women to Watch program recognizes business leaders from one of the fastest growing segments of Maine's economy.

A reception to honor the 2010 Women to Watch will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough. Registration is $40. Women to Watch is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, KeyBank and Preti Flaherty. For more information and to register, visit www.mainebiz.biz/womentowatch.html or email rsvp@mainebiz.biz.


Co-sponsored by the Portland Regional Chamber, the Maine Compact for Higher Education announces "Maine's Economic Imperative:To Dramatically Increase the Education and Skill Level of Its Current and Future Workers" on September 28.

Maine's Economic Imperative:To Dramatically Increase the Education and Skill Level of Its Current and Future Workers: The Fifth Maine Symposium on Higher Education

Preliminary Agenda

10:00               Registration & Coffee

10:30               Our Challenge - 40,000 More Degree and Certificate Holders by 2020!

Anthony P. Carnevale, Director, Center on Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University will keynote the Symposium, presenting findings from his new report:

Help Wanted, Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018.

11:00               Maine Businesses in Action

Business leaders will describe their actions to increase the education and skill level of their workers and lessons learned for others to consider. Several firms will be recognized for ‘taking one more step' to support their workers' education, through the Maine Employers' Initiative.

12:15               Lunch

12:45               State Government in Action

A white paper will provide a framework for examining government policies and practices that will have the greatest impact on increasing education and skill levels.

1:00                What Would You Do, as Governor, To Increase Education Attainment?

Gubernatorial forum will give candidates for Governor an opportunity to respond to the white paper and present their plans to achieve the goal of 40,000 more degree-holders by 2020.

Confirmed: Eliot Cutler, Paul LePage, Libby Mitchell, Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott.

 2:30                Adjourn & Reception

Click here to register!

Portland SCORE's September workshops

Portland SCORE will launches its QuickStart series of Workshops with Session 1 - Start-Up Basics on Thursday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m.  There is no charge for Session 1.  Session 2, Business Concept, will be presented on Thursday, September 9 at 6 p.m., followed by Session 3, Marketing Plan, on September 16 at 6 p.m., Session 4, Financial Projections, on September 23 at 6 p.m. and will conclude with Session 5, Funding Sources and Next Steps, on September 30 at 6 p.m.  This comprehensive series will help budding entrepreneurs test their business idea and get them started on the right path.  Free one-to-one counseling is also part of the workshop process.  Sessions 2 through 5 are offered at a package price of $125; or individual sessions can be attended with advance on-line registration for $35 each.  Without advance registration the price at the door will be $50 for each session.  Learn more and register on-line by visiting www.scoremaine.com.

We have now been able to work out arrangements with the Eliot Cutler organization so he will be the speaker at our regular monthly chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 15.  We will conduct the business meeting from 9 to 10 a.m., and Mr. Cutler, independent candidate for governor, will speak, beginning at 10 a.m.  This was NOT included in my earlier advice about Portland SCORE activities in September. 

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is on October 17

Donna Muto of the American Cancer Society wants to remind everyone to mark their calendars for Sunday, October 17 for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Portland - the Society's premier event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. "Our goal is to completely fill Monument Square with passionate people dedicated to raising money to support the Society's efforts in the fight against breast cancer," said Muto. In 2009, nearly $500,000 was raised in Maine through these walks with ninety cents ($.90) or 90% of every dollar raised at Making Strides events going to breast cancer research and support programs. Sign up your team today by visiting their website (click here).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) is looking for donors for the Annual Litterbox Ballon October 23

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) is an all volunteer, non-profit, no-kill cat shelter based in Cumberland, serving Southern Maine and beyond. We invite you to be part of a unique and fun fund-raising event that will bring desperately needed relief for many homeless cats and kittens. HART continues to support the surrounding communities...we handled 826 adoptions during 2009 and took in 839 new cats! Most of these cats are either strays, have been abandoned, or need to be surrendered by people losing their homes due to financial or health reasons. Many cats now come to us from the elderly who are moving into assisted living facilities.

The Annual Litterbox Ball, HART's major fundraising event, will be held again this year at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland on Saturday, October 23rd, doors open at 6:00. The event, hosted by Coast 93.1 radio's Ethan Minton, includes live and silent auctions of beautiful merchandise and sought-after services, hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar. All funds raised will go toward operating HART's no-kill cat shelter and adoption center. In 2009, we had well over 200 items available for auction and the event raised over $27,000! Can you help this year??

Help make this event a huge success!

1. Be a Donor: Contribute items or services to our live and silent auctions. The sky is the limit and we hope you will be as generous as possible. Your contribution will be listed in the Litterbox Ball Program. Donations valued at $100 or over receive a free ticket to the event.

2. Honor those you love: Honor a beloved pet, friend, or family member in a special, popular new section of the Litterbox Ball program.

3. Be an Advertiser: Purchase advertisement space in the Litterbox Ball program and bring a high level of recognition to your business among those favoring community-minded companies. Advertisers will be recognized in our newsletter. Full page advertisers receive free admission to the LBB.

4. Be an Event Sponsor: Become a sponsor and receive prominent listing of your logo or name in the event program, the event poster that is placed in the surrounding area, recognition in HART's newsletter, as well as on HART's website. You also will receive free admission to the LBB for 2 people.

For more information and a sponsorship acquisition form, contact Marcia Carr (207-428-3949 evenings) or Tori Nadeau (207-650-1268); info@hartofme.com. The due date is September 25.

Portland's Jade Trade Clinic Changes Name to "Jade Integrated Health."

Jade Trade, a provider of health and wellness services in Portland's East End, has announced that it has changed its name to "Jade Integrated Health." The clinic provides rehabilitative services that incorporate acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, traditional Chinese medicine and yoga.

"We changed our name to reflect not only the full range of services we offer, but also our approach to the health and well-being of our patients," says John Charlebois, who together with his wife Nancy is the owner and founder of the center. "We appreciate that our treatments are built around an integrated effort and want this to be the focus for our future growth." John's expertise is in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, while Nancy, who is a licensed physical therapist, provides physical therapy treatment and massage therapy services.

"Our name change is really a reflection of our center's evolution in the community," says Nancy. "Our growth has been organic; Jade Integrated Health has added services according to what our clients have asked for over the years." Jade Trade opened its doors in April 2001, offering acupuncture and Chinese herbology. Later, it expanded to include Nancy's physical therapy practice. In the spring of 2008, Jade Integrated Health also began to offer yoga.

"Not only are we committed to responding to our clients' needs, we are also responding to a need in the community for an enhanced level of health and well-being that our combined services offer," says John, "and that feels good."

ON THE MOVE

Berry Dunn Welcomes New Staff Accountant

Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker is pleased to announce that Max Donlon has joined the Firm's Portland, Maine Office as a Staff Accountant. Max obtained his degree in Masters of Accountancy from Bentley University. He presently resides in Scarborough, Maine.

Town & Country Board of Directors Names David Libby President/CEO

The Town & Country Federal Credit Union Board of Directors named David Libby as Chief Executive Officer and President of the organization at its July Board meeting.

Libby has more than 25 years of experience in the credit union industry. He joined Town & Country as manager of the Portland branch in 1990 then went on to assume the role of Branch Manager of the Scarborough location when it opened in 1995. Libby was named Vice President in 1998 and was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2007. Prior to joining Town & Country, Mr. Libby was a Credit Union Consultant with the Maine Credit Union League.

"Over the years, Dave has excelled in every position he has held within the organization while earning the loyalty and respect of members and employees alike. Dave possesses the perfect combination of knowledge, experience and leadership to achieve our goals and strategic initiatives for the future," said Jane Torres, Chairman of Town & Country's Board of Directors.

A Maine native, Dave graduated from Cheverus High School and the University of Maine. He lives in Scarborough with his family.