FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine – Attorney Jeffrey A. Thaler was elected President of the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) at the group’s 2nd annual meeting this week in Portland, Maine.  Thaler, a partner at law firm Bernstein Shur, is renowned for his work in environmental and energy law.  ACOEL is a professional association of prominent environmental lawyers recognized by their peers as preeminent in their field.

As one of the ACOEL’s founders, Thaler has provided the group with organizational leadership as well as expertise on the legal dimensions of issues including greenhouse gases, alternative energy and climate change.  He is a senior member of Bernstein Shur’s energy, environmental, and litigation practice groups.

“This is a deserving honor for Jeff that truly speaks to his strong reputation and the respect he has earned in the legal community,” said Charles E. Miller, managing shareholder at Bernstein Shur.  “His strong reputation as an environmental and energy attorney will provide ACOEL with solid, credible leadership.”

Thaler is recognized by Best Lawyers in America as a leading figure in environmental and natural resources law, and by Chambers USA for his environmental and litigation practices.  He has taught environmental law at the University of Maine Law School, serves on the Boards of the Land for Maine’s Future, the Energy and Environmental Technology Council of Maine and is lead author of The Maine Environmental Law Handbook.  Thaler is a graduate of the Yale University School of Law and Williams College.

The American College of Environmental Lawyers
The American College of Environmental Lawyers is a professional association of lawyers distinguished by their experience and high standards in the practice of environmental law.  ACOEL members are dedicated to: maintaining and improving the ethical practice of environmental law; the administration of justice; and the development of environmental law at both the state and federal level.  More information can be found at http://www.acoel.org.

Bernstein Shur
Bernstein Shur is one northern New England’s largest multi-service law firms, with more than 100 attorneys in offices in Maine and New Hampshire.  Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world.  Bernstein Shur is Maine’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information can be found at http://bernsteinshur.com.

CONTACT:

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Rosa Scarcelli, Democratic candidate for governor, announced today that veteran Maine journalist and public affairs consultant Patsy Wiggins has been hired as campaign manager.

Wiggins, a resident of Scarborough, will leave her position as a consultant with the Government Affairs Practice Group of Eaton Peabody, the 70-year-old Maine law firm with offices in Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick and Ellsworth. She joined the firm in 2008 after more than 20 years in television news covering the Legislature and Maine politics for Maine television stations including WCSH and WGME in Portland. She also served as the host of MPBN’s MaineWatch program after the previous host, Angus King, Jr., was elected governor.

“Patsy brings a wealth of experience, skill and know-how to my campaign at a time when we are really beginning to gain momentum,” Scarcelli said. “She is exactly the type of person I want on my team and who I hope to attract to my administration, someone with a deep commitment and knowledge of Maine but who brings a fresh, outside perspective.”

A graduate of the University of Maine, Wiggins co-founded and was president of a multi-media company in South Portland where she videotaped and edited stories for various programs. She has served on several state boards and commissions, including Maine Maritime Academy, the Maine Irish Heritage Center, the Maine Center for Creativity and the Wayside Soup Kitchen.

During her career she has produced documentaries and conducted interviews with such luminaries as Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, Edmund S. Muskie and Richard Nixon. Wiggins received an award from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for her special “Walter Cronkite, At Anchor in Maine.”

“Leaving a job you love is always difficult,” Wiggins said, “but this was a lot easier because I believe Rosa will be a great governor and I want to be part of the team that helps get her elected. She will bring the exceptional business and financial skills to the job as governor that the state needs right now while protecting the special qualities and traditions that make Maine so special.

“I was frankly flattered to have been asked to join as campaign manager, which I’ve never done before, but my years covering Maine politics and Maine politicians, and being involved public policy and the decision making process, have prepared me for this challenge. It’s a very interesting time for Maine and Maine’s future, and this will be a very exciting campaign.”

As campaign manager, Wiggins will be in charge of the staff and day-to-day implementation of the overall campaign plan and strategy.

About Rosa Scarcelli: Scarcelli, 39, Democratic candidate for governor, is the owner and CEO of Stanford Management that provides quality, affordable housing in more than 30 Maine communities. A native of Wilton, Scarcelli said she wants to use her business skills to help create a better climate in Maine for job creation and growth. She lives in Portland with her husband Thom and their three children ages 12, 9 and 8.

For more information and a press kit including bio and photos, go to www.rosaformaine.com or http://pitch.pe/25980

Contact: Dennis Bailey, 207-347-6077/207-749-4963

USM TO HOST COLLEGE FAIR
Sunday, September 27, 2009 – 2pm-4:30pm

On Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 2:00pm until 4:30 p.m., the University of Southern Maine’s Office of Undergraduate Admission will host a college fair coordinated through the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC).

The College Fair will be held in the Costello Sports Complex on USM’s Gorham campus. This location allows us to host more than 250 colleges and universities, as well as representatives from USM’s Office of Financial Aid, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME – www.famemaine.com/), and the New England Board of Higher Education (NEHBE – www.nebhe.org/).

For an up-to-date listing of participating institutions, please refer to www.neacac.org/cf_fall.cfm .

No registration is necessary. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, contact the University of Southern Maine Office of Undergraduate Admission at 207-780-5670.

The New Gloucester Community Fair Committee prepares for the 2009 Fair.

New Gloucester, Maine September 18, 2009 – The New Gloucester Community Fair Committee plans to expand this year’s fair from a one day to a two day event.  It is expected up to 10 thousand people will attend the fair over the 2 day period this year, making 2009 even larger than 2008.

Each year the New Gloucester Community Fair has drawn larger crowds, more recognition, and a whole lot more fun.  Building off the success of the 2008 season the fair committee has expanded the fair back to a two day event in anticipation of a crowd of about 10 thousand visitors.

Last November the committee held a visionary meeting to adopt a broad reaching vision for the ongoing success of the community fair.  With overwhelming support of the community, the Selectman and the fair committee, this year’s fair is rapidly shaping up to be the largest most exciting and successful yet.  The New Gloucester Community Fair has definitely found its nitch.  By focusing on community and family the New Gloucester Fair has been able to appeal to both young and old from Portland/South Portland to Yarmouth to Oxford to Lewiston/Auburn and further.  Even folks from as far away as Bethel were found at last year’s fair.

More staged events are planned along with a variety of musical performances.  More activities are also planned for this year’s fair including a free 20” bike give-away every hour.  One of the largest car shows in Maine takes place Saturday Oct 17^th.  A parade starts the day on Sunday Oct 18^th along with an early pancake breakfast sponsored by the Boy Scouts.  Tons of kid activities held both days including petting animals and tractor barrel rides.  There will be miniature car races and on Sunday even a vintage style baseball game is planned.  Saturday night concludes with fireworks.

For additional information, contact George Carmen or Michael Bardier at 207.926.4126 ext 7 or email newgloucestercommunityfair@yahoo.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The 2009 Lobsterman Triathlon and Aquabike will take place at Winslow Park in South Freeport, Maine on Saturday, September 19th.

PORTLAND, ME – September 14, 2009 – Tri-Maine’s Lobsterman Triathlon and Aquabike event will bring over 800 athletes to South Freeport on Saturday morning, September 19th. Acclaimed for having the “Best Scenery” of any triathlon in the country by Triathlete Magazine in 2008, the popular event sold out for 2009.

The race begins at 9:30 a.m. at Freeport’s ocean-side Winslow Park. Triathletes will swim 1.5-kilometers (.93 miles) in Casco Bay, head out on a 40-kilometer (24 mile) bike ride along the countryside of Freeport and Brunswick, and finish with a 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) “lollipop” run through the village of South Freeport. Aquabike competitors will follow the same swim and bike courses without the run, and all athletes will finish back at Winslow Park.

Following the completion of the race, local restaurant Gritty McDuff’s will host a classic lobsterbake. (More than 400 lobsters were served in 2008!) There will also be live entertainment, food options provided by Freeport’s Bow Street Market, and a LobsterKids Fun Run after the adult event.

The Lobsterman will feature both local athletes and competitors from more than 24 states and Canadian provinces.

“It’s exciting to see so many athletes coming to Maine to experience our stunning landscape and the some of the best in athletic competition,” says Will Thomas, Tri-Maine’s Executive Director. “We’re thrilled that the Lobsterman has become such a favored destination race and looking forward to another great event.”

For the safety of athletes, Staples Point Road and parts of South Freeport Road (between Route 1 and Main Street) will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lower Mast Landing Road, Flying Point Road, Bunganuc Road, and Pleasant Hill Road also experience cyclist traffic from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., however they will remain open. Residents and motorists are asked to plan accordingly and proceed with caution.

The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital is the Lobsterman charity partner and sponsor support for the event comes from L.L. Bean, Peak Performance Multisport, Orthopaedics Associates, Bow Street Market, The North Face, Comfort Suites of Freeport, Pape Subaru, Pepsi, Freeport Merchants Association, and SwimVacation.

Volunteers are also still needed for the race and can sign up by contacting Erik Boucher at erik@tri-maine.com.

Live results can be viewed on race day at www.tri-maine.com. For more information, contact Amy VanHaren.

About Tri-Maine:
Tri-Maine Productions is Maine’s premier multisport event management company. Providing high quality, competitive races in dynamic New England locations, Tri-Maine serves more than 3,000 athletes, 5,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers annually. Tri-Maine partners with first-rate local and national sponsors to provide an athletic experience like no other. Fusing arts, music, environmental consciousness, health, and community together with the active lifestyle, Tri-Maine delivers specialized events that transcend the traditional. Visit www.tri-maine.com for more information.

Contact:
Amy VanHaren, Tri-Maine Productions
207.221.5420 x 5
amy@tri-maine.com

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