Some of Maine’s best-known musicians will perform at concerts that people can attend for free, and artisans will ply their trades at a Maritime Heritage Fair. These tradespeople include boat builders, blacksmiths, coopers, sail makers, blacksmiths and fishermen. Performers will stage a “pirate attack” on the town.

“When the schooners enter this harbor that’s framed by mountains, it’s amazing to see,” said Meg Maiden, Maine Windjammer Association marketing director. “The windjammers are powered primarily by sail and have no engines; most are designated National Historic Landmarks.”

What: Camden Windjammer Festival 2010

When: Sept. 3-5, 2010

Highlights: Schooners arrival; music (including Gordon Bok and Paranoid Social Club); Maritime Heritage Fair; Pirates of the Dark Rose attack; fireworks display; lobster crate and R/C boat races; schooner-crew talent show; all-comers boat parade.

Full Schedule: Available online at www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com/events

Each year, thousands of people from different parts of the country and some international locations attend this end-of-summer event. Camden has been celebrating its maritime heritage each Labor Day Weekend since the mid-1990s.

“It’s an authentic experience,” Maiden said. “The skills that the captains display have been passed down through the generations. All of them have worked their way up on sailing vessels.”

The schooners will host open houses, where visitors will be able to tour the schooners at no cost and learn about the tradition these windjammers represent. In the mid-1800s, ship builders regularly launched schooners into Camden Harbor, and for decades, Camden served as home port for cargo-carrying vessels that traveled to locales such as those in the West Indies.

Camden also is the birthplace of recreational schooner trips, with vessels beginning to carry passengers in the 1930s. Today, Camden remains home port to a dozen schooners, and these majestic sailing ships continue to offer trips where passengers can contribute to the sailing of the big ships, experience life on a windjammer, enjoy the stunning scenery and participate in activities such as lobster bakes.

On shore, the Heritage Fair also will offer free educational and fun activities to visitors.

“The whole impulse around this is activity and not just static displays,” said Bridget Qualey, chair of the Maritime Heritage Fair committee. “It takes people back into their memories and family recollections. It allows visitors to ask questions and learn new things.”

Contemporary Maine culture also will be on display, with free activities such as the performance of Maine’s premier rock band, Paranoid Social Club, on Saturday evening, and a closing performance Sunday by legendary Maine folk artist Gordon Bok.

“We call him the voice of the sea,” said John Orlando, the festival’s entertainment chair. “He’s a Maine native and loves sailing.”

Most events are free for those who attend. More information about the festival and the Camden’s maritime heritage is available online at www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com.

Founded in 1939, the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber currently serves businesses and organizations from 54 towns and seven states who actively seek to support business and community in the Camden Hills region of Maine.

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The program and learning objectives are built on Rick Dacri’s more than 25 years of experience as a human resources professional and consultant. It uses techniques and tools found in his book for effectively managing employees to improve productivity and results. Instruction is customized for the needs of individual organizations and based on the premise that supervising people is a skill that individuals can improve.

“Being a manager is challenging. It calls for balancing the needs of the leadership team against the reality of the front-line and work environment. The training program gives managers the tools to make managing simpler,” said Dacri, who is past president of HR organizations in two states and the author of more than 100 articles on HR issues. “Too often, managers struggle with how to address issues directly and candidly with employees.”

Managers who participate in the program learn how to inspire and engage employees; confront problems; communicate effectively with staff and avoid actions that can lead to lawsuits. The training includes ideas that are easy to understand and illustrated by real-life examples.

Participants in the program receive support materials, including a workbook and copies of the book that serves as the foundation for this training program. “Uncomplicating Management” was published last fall and is available through Dacri’s website, www.dacri.com, and at Amazon.com.

Dacri & Associates, now in its 15th years, offers senior executives the human-relations expertise and hands-on skill they need to improve employee productivity and engagement, mitigate risk and position their organizations for success. More information is available at www.dacri.com, rick@dacri.com or 1-800-892-9828.

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iBec Creative has experienced a high level of growth this year and has received significant recognition for its’ success. President Becky McKinnell was recognized by BusinessWeek magazine as one of the top young entrepreneurs in the country and as the Maine Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. iBec’s growth has driven the company to expand its operations, with the hiring of Putnam and others, in order to meet industry demand, maintain a high level of customer service and keep fresh on the ever-changing world of web design.

In Putnam’s new role at iBec Creative, he will update and enhance existing websites, translate Photoshop layouts into new website templates, modify and skin 3rd party tools such as WordPress blogs or Constant Contact newsletters and modify or implement custom applications and open source applications to meet clients’ specific needs.

“Chris has an extensive background in both website and software development, so he is a great resource for both our team and clients,” says Becky McKinnell, President of iBec Creative.

Putnam received an Associate’s Degree of Science in Computer Information Systems from Northern Maine Community College in 2007 and is expected to receive his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Computer Information Systems from Husson University in 2011.

About iBec Creative

Established in 2006 by founder and president Becky McKinnell, iBec Creative is a leading provider of website and traditional design services based in Portland, Maine. iBec Creative brings fresh ideas and an intuitive understanding of technology to its work. For more information, go online to www.iBecCreative.com or call (207) 221-0790. Find iBec Creative on Facebook

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Join Hannah Kubiak and Beth Shissler of Sea Bags and Linda Greenlaw as they celebrate Linda’s new book and kick off season two of the Discovery Channel’s “Swords: Life on the Line” which starts August 10^th and includes Linda as the Captain of the Sea Hawk.

^“We are proud to celebrate my sister Linda’s newest book, Seaworthy,” says Sea Bags Co-Owner Beth Shissler. “Copies of Seaworthy will be available for purchase at the event and as a special treat; each attendee will receive a custom Seaworthy bookmark made from recycled sail at Sea Bags.”

What: Linda Greenlaw book signing and reading of her latest book, Seaworthy

Books will be available for sale

When: Monday, July 19, 2010

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: Sea Bags. 25 Custom House Wharf, Portland

Contact: 207-780-0744 for more information on the event

All are invited to the event. Experience the working waterfront first hand at Sea Bags headquarters and sewing shop on Custom House Wharf in Portland for this unique experience and enter to win a coveted Sea Bag^TM – book in a bag, with a signed copy of Seaworthy.

About SEAWORTHY

Linda Greenlaw hadn’t been bluewater fishing for ten years- not since the events chronicled in the books The Perfect Storm and The Hungry Ocean-but when her lobster traps aren’t paying off, her truck is on its last gasp, and the bills are piling up, she decides to take a friend up on his offer and captain a boat for a season of sword fishing.

Capturing the moment-by-moment details of her journey, Greenlaw tells a story about human nature and the nature around us, about learning what can be controlled and when to let fate step in. Seaworthy is a compelling narrative about a person setting her own terms and finding her true self between land and water. Seaworthy can be purchased at the event and can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, or your local bookstore. For more information on Linda Greenlaw, visit www.lindagreenlawbooks.com. Join Linda on Facebook. Follow Linda on Twitter.

About Sea Bags™

Sailed around the World, Recycled in Maine— Founded in 1999 and located on the working waterfront in Portland, Maine; Sea Bags™ specializes in the design and manufacture of hand crafted bags from recycled sails.  Water resistant and robust, these resilient bags are stylish, functional and sustainable. Hand sewn in Maine and made exclusively from old sails, Sea Bags are enjoyed globally by professional and recreational boaters alike, fashionistas, corporations and beachgoers.  For more information, go to www.seabags.com. Join Sea Bags on Facebook. Follow Sea Bags on Twitter: @SeaBagsMaine

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iBec Creative has seen a great amount of growth this year with its president Becky McKinnell being recognized by BusinessWeek magazine as one of the top young entrepreneurs in the country and as Maine Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. iBec’s quick growth has led the company to expand its operations, with the hiring of Stevens and others in order to meet industry demand, maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and keep up-to-speed on the always changing world of web design.

In his new role at iBec Creative, Stevens will be responsible working with iBec’s Project Manager, Chris Campbell, to make sure projects meet deadlines and are completed more efficiently and effectively. Stevens will assist with website reviews, design updates, development updates, and other website related projects.

Stevens’ technical experience includes Adobe CS4 Creative Suite, Image Print, Photographic studio lighting and large format camera photography.

“Rob’s creativity and various design experience adds a fresh perspective to all of our projects and add a lot of value for our clients,” says Becky McKinnell, President of iBec Creative.

Stevens is a graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. He holds a BFA in graphic design and a minor in photography.

About iBec Creative

Established in 2006 by founder and president Becky McKinnell, iBec Creative is a leading provider of website and traditional design services based in Portland, Maine. iBec Creative brings fresh ideas and an intuitive understanding of technology to its work. For more information, go online to www.iBecCreative.com or call (207) 221-0790.

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“During my 25 years in human resources – including the last 15 as owner of a consulting firm – I have seen a huge change in the laws that govern employees and in the expectations of both supervisors and workers,” Rick Dacri said. “Fortunately, there also has been enormous growth in the sophistication of HR techniques available to employers looking to get the most out of their human capital.”

With the economy still unsettled, employers should be particularly aware of the dangers posed by wrongful discharge claims to ensure they have effective and sustainable HR processes in place, said Dacri, who recently published his book on how to effectively oversee employees, “Uncomplicating Management.” Proactive HR policies are the best way to avoid lawsuits and other problems, he said.

Recognized within the profession as an expert in Human Resources theory and practice, Dacri regularly speaks to national and regional organizations about workforce and human resources issues. He has authored more than 100 professional articles and served as president of HR associations in Maine and Massachusetts.

Dacri & Associates offers senior executives the human-relations expertise and hands-on skill they need to improve employee productivity and engagement, mitigate risk and position their organizations for success. More information is available at www.dacri.com, rick@dacri.com or 1-800-892-9828.

Housing complex for medical students is celebrated as southern Maine’s most environmentally sensitive commercial building, housing resource.

Portland, MAINE (June 17, 2010) – Gov. John Baldacci and other community leaders today officially opened the Crescent Heights student housing complex, which is one of the most environmentally sensitive commercial structures in Maine and a showpiece for “smart growth” urban-development techniques.

The building at 25 Crescent St. was constructed by Portland-based Developers Collaborative and is expected to be certified at the Platinum —or highest – level for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It uses 37 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than a typical housing building.

“The location itself is a wonderful green feature of the building,” said Jay Waterman, a LEED consultant and senior project manager at Fore Solutions. Residents can walk the nearby hospital and area businesses. “You can have the most ‘green’ building in the world, but if you have to drive 45 miles to get there, you are putting a lot of pollution into the environment.”

The building’s 11 suites help keep area rents affordable, while providing housing for medical students and support for a program that adds to our health care infrastructure and helps train the next generation of physicians

“Crescent Heights meets a lot of community needs, without creating the impact that sometimes comes from a new building,” said Kevin Bunker, a principal in Developers Collaborative. “We have been able to take a third-of-an-acre lot and produce 44 bedrooms for students. We’ve been able to do that without adding traffic or on-street parking.”

On the inside, Crescent Heights has unique features, meant to appeal to the particular needs of medical students. An interior design consultant researched the lifestyle of these students, using social science journals, interviews, focus groups, site visits and surveys, so that she could more fully understand the needs and meet their desires of medical students, on everything from vibrant colors to carefully selected furnishings.

“I designed it like a boat: Everything is space efficient and meets their needs,” said Lisa Whited, a design consultant with Whited Planning and Design. “The whole thing about this project is to have the students have a wonderful experience and stay in Maine.”

All units come with amenities such as 42-inch flat-screen televisions and WiFi internet access; offer views of the White Mountains, Back Cove or the Portland cityscape; and in some cases, have balconies.

Furnishings in shared spaces within the units are designed to move easily and encourage social interaction among students who are putting in long hours. Artistic nature photography from Maine, carpeting from Angela Adams and other Maine-focused design elements help create a pleasing environment and puts the state in a good light with physicians-in-training. Purchasing materials and furnishings in Maine supports local businesses and protects the environment, because items do not have to be transported far.

“We do a lot of listening at Developers Collaborative because we believe that projects need to work effectively for communities as well as tenants,” Bunker said. “We work hard to make sure our projects like Crescent Heights address needs and make our communities stronger.”

About Developers Collaborative
Portland-based Developers Collaborative is an association of allied real-estate developers who produce state-of-the-art buildings that contribute to host communities by meeting specific local needs. Developers Collaborative can be reached at (207) 772-7673, info@developerscollaborative.com or on the web at www.developerscollaborative.com.

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The range of services that Broadreach will provide under the contract include strategic communications services providing customer, employee, community and investor relations support, as well as, offering traditional and new media services and general marketing support for the company’s ongoing initiatives. Broadreach Public Relations has worked with Northeast Bank since the agency’s founding in December of 2006.

“Over the past few years, Broadreach has responded to our communications needs and helped further our development, with a high level of effectiveness, delivering quality service and efficiency,” said Chris Delamater, Vice President and Marketing Director for Northeast Bank.

“With their knowledge of the business environment, expertise and responsiveness, I count on Broadreach for both advice and for getting things done. As our company continues to grow, I am pleased to know that they will be working for our best interest to deliver value to support the Northeast brand.”

“We value our relationship with Northeast Bank and are honored to have this opportunity to work with such an innovative and forward-thinking company” said Linda Varrell, President of Broadreach Public Relations. “Northeast has a great story to tell and a rich heritage, we are looking forward to our continued relationship.”

About Broadreach Public Relations

Broadreach Public Relations, which is headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine, offers successful companies the talent, vision and creative execution they need to accomplish their goals. Contact Broadreach at 207-846-3826, via e-mail at info@broadreachpr.com, or online at www.broadreachpr.com.

Find Broadreach on Facebook * Follow Broadreach on Twitter * Join Broadreach on LinkedIn

About Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank, a leader in delivering one-stop shopping for financial services, is headquartered in Lewiston, Maine and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Bancorp (NASDAQ:  NBN). The Company has approximately $612 million in assets as of April 30, 2010  and operates 23 retail outlets, including 10 bank branches, 12 insurance offices and 3 financial centers serving the financial needs of western, central, mid-coastal and southern Maine, as well as seacoast New Hampshire. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found on its website at www.northeastbank.com or by contacting 1-800-284-5989.

Fan NEB on Facebook ³ Join the NEB group on LinkedIn ³ Follow NEB on Twitter: @northeast_bank ³ Check out the NEB YouTube Channel

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“The two facilities that I toured – the international facilities with mostly American patients – were spectacular and among the best I’ve seen anywhere,” said Justin Ward of Patient Advocates in Gray. “The American patients I talked with said they love the treatment.”

Many people are becoming interested in so-called “medical tourism” to countries such as Costa Rica because high-quality care is available there at much-lower costs. For example, a knee or hip replacement that would cost $30,000-$40,000 in the United States can be done for less than $12,000 in Costa Rica. A colonoscopy could be done for as little as $300.

“The physicians, many of whom were trained in the United States, themselves are very accessible,” said Justin Ward, director of client services at Patient Advocates. “They have a great bedside manner, what I’d call ‘high touch’ care.”

Changes to the U.S. health care system as a result of the recent federal law also are likely to increase interest in the offshore option, as millions of people come onto the insurance rolls, with the likely result of longer waits for health care in the U. S.

Patient Advocates administers self-insurance plans and provides wellness services to employers, and operates under the philosophy that patients should get the best care possible, at the most-affordable price. Patient Advocates is a leader in providing employers and plan members with the widest array of care choices possible, whether that is in other states or – now – overseas.

“In business or in health care, competition makes us better,” said James Ward, president of Patient Advocates. “At a time when the health care system is undergoing dramatic changes, we believe it is crucial to look as widely as possible, to get the best health care for our clients and plan members.”

Justin Ward visited medical facilities, spoke with hospital personnel, attended workshops and interacted with patients during his 4 day-long trip to San Jose, Costa Rica, for an international medical conference. Other invitees came from European and North American countries, though Justin Ward is the only individual from the northeastern United States who attended.

Justin Ward said that he tried to put a reporter’s hat on during the trip, reviewing and evaluating everything about the experience – from a potential patient’s perspective.

“It was so easy to get around that it was just like being here, and that’s important because you want everything to go smoothly when you are getting medical treatment,” he said. “The treatment itself was very well coordinated. Providers are talking with one another.”

“The increases in health care costs that we’ve been seeing are not sustainable. If you combine that with an aging workforce, employers are being forced to look at alternatives to the local health care system,” Justin Ward said. “Costa Rica is an attractive alternative because of its proximity to the United States, stable government, safe environment, reputation for high quality and affordability.”

About Patient Advocates

Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Employers trust PA to help manage their costs while ensuring the highest quality of care for their employees. Built on the premise that access to the highest quality health care results in greater cost-savings over time, Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. www.patientadvocatesllc.com

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What: Crescent Heights Ribbon Cutting

When: June 17, 2010, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Crescent Heights Housing Complex, 25 Crescent St., Portland

The opening ceremony will feature tours of the facility, with its Maine-focused interior and stunning views from balconies that overlook the city, White Mountains and Back Cove; lunch refreshments and comments about the innovative project from Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative, the project owner; Naomi Mermin, Advocacy /Social Equity Committee Chair from the Maine Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council; City Councilor David Marshall; Portland Mayor Nicolas Mavodones, and Governor Baldacci.

Schedule

12:00 pm – 1:15pm: Facility tours and Lunch served in Room G01

1:15pm – 1:30pm Gather outside for remarks and ceremony

1:30pm – 2:00pm: Speeches and Ribbon Cutting

The apartment complex was constructed by Portland-based Developers Collaborative and is expected to be certified at the Platinum —or highest – level for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It uses 43 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than a typical apartment building.

Built on a steep incline on an underutilized lot in Portland’s West End, the building’s 11 suites will help keep area rents affordable, while providing housing for medical students who will be working at a nearby hospital. This provides support for a program that adds to our health care infrastructure and helps train the next generation of physicians.

About Developers Collaborative

Portland-based Developers Collaborative is an association of allied real-estate developers who produce state-of-the-art buildings that contribute to host communities by meeting specific local needs. Developers Collaborative can be reached at (207) 772-7673, info@developerscollaborative.com or on the web at www.developerscollaborative.com.

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