For more information and to sign up, please go the the Camden Public Library web-site here:  http://www.librarycamden.org/

learn more Sarah’s professional commitment and direct community activism here at her web-site,the Campaign to Elect Sarah Ruef-Lindquist Knox County Judge of Probate

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, candidate for Knox County Judge of Probate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ronni Katz
August 26, 2010 PHONE: 756-8116
EMAIL: rmk@portlandmaine.gov

August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day. Learn the signs of an overdose and “Save a Life”

The Overdose Prevention Project, a program of the City of Portland’s Health and Human Services Department, Public Health Division, will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on Tuesday, August 31 in memory of those who have lost their lives as a result of a drug overdose. “Fatal overdoses have continued to stay high and have surpassed traffic deaths in Maine more than once in recent years,” says Ronni Katz, Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator. “Most overdose victims can be saved by calling 911, but people are afraid of getting into trouble if they call,” Katz added. “Statistics show that few arrests result after making the call and most importantly, lives are
saved. “
The Overdose Prevention Project was started by the Public Health Division in 2003 as a response to the record number of fatal overdoses in Portland. Since then, Portland has seen a consistent decline in fatal overdoses. The OPP raises awareness about the signs of an overdose:
• Not Breathing
• Turing Blue
• Not Responding
• Snoring Deeply

People can write something about someone they lost to an overdose on our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/portlandprevention
In addition, there will be posts about addiction and recovery on our Facebook page and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/portprevent).

More information about the Overdose Prevention Project and Portland Public Health’s other substance abuse prevention programs can be found at: http://substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov/

People are urged to call 911 if someone exhibits any of the warning signs of an overdose, even if you are not sure. Why let a life-threatening situation become a life-ending situation?

In his new role as Chairman, Hodgins will preside over the 13-member board, which governs the activities of the hospital, including the finances, administration, equipment and facilities required to deliver high-quality, comprehensive medical services.

Hodgins joined the SVH board of trustees in 2005 and has served as Vice Chair of the board for the past two years.  He succeeds John Delile, Dean of Finance and Administration for Kennebec Valley Community College, who served as Board Chairman since 2008.  Michael Gallagher, Superintendent of Maine School Administrative District #53, has been elected to serve as Vice Chair.

“Michael Hodgins’ past service to our board has been marked by a dedication to the hospital’s mission and insight in assessing SVH initiatives for growth and adaptability,” said Victoria Alexander-Lane, President and CEO of Sebasticook Valley Hospital “We are grateful to Michael and all the members of our board for their dedication and contributions to the success of the hospital and its operations.”

Hodgins manages Bernstein Shur’s Augusta, Maine office.  He is a member of the Construction Law Practice Group, and his practice focuses on litigation of construction-related claims and other business disputes.

A resident of Pittsfield, Maine, Hodgins is actively involved in a number of organizations. He is a former trustee of Maine Central Institute, where he served as President of the Board for six years.  He served on the Board of Your Choice, Inc. as President and Director and currently serves as State Chair for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, a national organization.  Hodgins received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maine’s School of Law in 1993 and his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1990.

About Sebasticook Valley Hospital

Sebasticook Valley Hospital is a progressive 25-bed critical access hospital in Pittsfield, Maine. It was established in 1963 by a group of community leaders. The hospital is an integral member of the communities it serves and an affiliated hospital of EMHS (Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems).

About Bernstein Shur

Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial firms, Bernstein Shur is a multi-service law firm 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 is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.

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“The Cardiac Assessment website was built using a CMS [Content Management System] to allow the administrator a great amount of flexibility over adding pages and editing content,” said Chris Gilley, Project Manager and Web Developer. “The site includes a blog and a custom built application for the questionnaire, both of which will assist people in making informed decisions about their heart care.”

About Cardiac Assessment
Cardiac Assessment is a patient advocacy website for coronary artery disease. The site provides the latest information on coronary artery disease, treatments, and options of care. CRA is a one-stop visit for patients and medical professionals alike and independent of any commercial or treatment bias.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy. Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.

For more information visit http://www.hallme.com/press

PORTLAND, ME -One of the things Lynn Peel values most about her job is the close connections she forms with her clients. She says, “I come into their lives during a major life transition. It is often an emotional time. As a result I really get to know them and their families. I have the privilege of hearing their life stories.”

Lynn is the President and Senior Care Advisor of Beach Glass Transitions, LLC. She reaches a milestone this April: 2 years in business.  Beach Glass Transitions provides a personalized and invaluable support service to Maine families or individuals who need assistance in attaining elder care for themselves, or more commonly, for an aging loved one.  When living at home alone is no longer a safe option for an elder family member, Lynn and Beach Glass are there to provide education and advice on the available options.  They assist in securing the products and services the client needs to restore independence in their home, or otherwise assist in finding and applying for residency in a safe community alternative.

In the company’s 2 years of business, Lynn has worked with more than 50 families and has a 100% client satisfaction rating.  As one client remarked, “Lynn has been a godsend to us!  If it hadn’t been for her, I’m sure we would still be trying to get through the maze of figuring out how to get my great aunt into a good safe place!  Thank you!”  Another said, “Lynn provided the expertise and the guidance that we needed during a very stressful time.  We can’t thank her enough for all she did for our family.”  Most of Lynn’s clients are Boomers who contact her regarding the care of their aging parents.

Prior to starting Beach Glass Transitions, Lynn Peel worked for more than 8 years in Home Care Agencies, Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Care and Independent Living Communities.  She has the knowledge and insight of an insider, which is a huge benefit to her clients, and often sets Beach Glass Transitions apart from the average geriatric care manager or referral service.  After 10 years working in her industry, Lynn has developed strong and tested relationships to trustworthy referral sources such as legal and financial advisors, movers, down-sizers, organizers, real estate agents, and more.  Ultimately Beach Glass Transitions offers the complete package.  However, the most significant aspect of Beach Glass Transitions that sets it apart from the competition is Lynn’s focus on the individual.

Her service is highly customized.  Lynn says, “Every client is different.  They come from different backgrounds and they have different futures.  They have individual wants and needs and family expectations.  They have medical and financial requirements, but also have concerns regarding social interactivity.  My job and my passion is to work with my clients to find the option that is best suited to the whole person, not just the age or the medical condition.”

As a new way of honoring her clients, Lynn asks them to provide photographs and fill out a short life survey, allowing her to compose a scrapbook of the client’s life and personality.  The final product is

called, “Oh, The Places You Have Been.”  It serves two purposes.  First and foremost, it is a gift thanking her clients for contracting her services.  Secondly, it acts as a social profile to provide to Home Health Aides and Senior Living Communities.  It is a wonderful way of showing the client’s new caregivers who they are, allowing them to bond and connect in a way that would not otherwise be possible.  This connection is remarkably therapeutic for aging adults, especially if they suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

If you or a loved one is struggling with independence at home alone, call Beach Glass Transitions today for your consultation and to find out how your social profile can improve your long term care.

Contact:

Lynn H. Peel                                       

President, Senior Care Advisor

Beach Glass Transitions, LLC

207.272.2797

277 Congress Street

Portland, ME 04101

www.beachglasstransitions.com

lpeel@beachglasstransitions.com

Planned gifts – typically absorbed into endowment funds – generally involve more complicated gift arrangements than current gifts of cash or marketable securities. They also typically begin at the 6 figure level, involve gift, estate and/or income tax benefits to their donors, and can increase significantly the financial resources of nonprofit organizations for their long-term operation.

In this course, we will review and explore:

* organizational prerequisites, including board and staff roles
* underlying policies and procedures
* the industry of planned giving
* wealth transfer and tax implications that incentivize planned gifts
* mechanics of planned gifts
* resources to support planned giving programs (e.g. allied professionals, web-based services)
* the concept of appropriate donor recognition and stewardship

We will also discuss how to identify potential planned giving opportunities.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, J.D. is a graduate of the Institute for Civic Leadership and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (“CTFA”). She has practiced law, was Vice President for Southern Maine at the Maine Community Foundation and Sr. Administrative Trust officer at Union Trust Company. She is a frequent writer and speaker on the topics of trust and estate planning, charitable gift planning and planned giving.

Wednesday, April 14, and Thursday, April 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
call USM Cont Ed. 1-800-787-0468  or go to USM Cont Ed web site here
$285 (12 contact hours/ 1.2 CEUs)
Abromson Center, 88 Bedford Street, USM Portland campus

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist can be reached at her web-site, Planning for Good here

The Maine State Housing Authority awarded Stanford the management contract for Munjoy South a year ago along with other properties formerly managed by Liberty Management, Inc. The contracts added $30 million to Stanford’s portfolio of developments in four states, and made Stanford Management the largest woman-owned affordable housing management company in the nation.

“We’ve worked very hard in the last year to listen to the residents of Munjoy South and make needed improvements in their quality of life,” said Rosa Scarcelli, president of Stanford Management. “Stanford has no ownership interest in the property, but we manage it as if we do. Many of our residents are elderly or disabled, so even small changes can mean a lot.”

Residents seem pleased. Carolyn Weiss, a 38-year resident of Munjoy South, said, “I am very satisfied with the response of services and staff, and couldn’t be happier. Problems are responded to right away and I am very happy with Stanford Management since they have been here”

Freda Anderson, a 28 year resident, said, “After a recent injury the staff immediately made modifications to my apartment. I am very happy with the changes since Stanford Management. This is the first time since I have lived at this property that I have ever had an opportunity to actually talk to the management company. I think that the management company has just gotten better.”

Scarcelli credits her capable, on-site staff for the turnaround. “It’s important to have qualified and enthusiastic staff members and managers who are invested in making sure that the needs of the tenants are being met,” she said.

About Stanford Management: Stanford Management is a full service property management firm founded in 2001. Our $250 million portfolio consists of thousands of units of affordable housing in four states allowing us to offer housing opportunities for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and families. Stanford Management is headquartered in Portland, Maine. It started as a family owned business with a goal to make a difference in the affordable housing sector and provide outstanding service to our residents, owners and reporting agencies. For more information see www.stanfordmanagement.com

Contact: Rosa Scarcelli, 207-772-3399

presents 5 Planned Giving Workshops

The first and very timely for many  Executive Directors,

this January 19 in Portland Maine

and January 26 in Augusta Maine
“Strategies for Planned Giving for the “small” Development Office”

attendees will learn:

• Maximizing potential with minimal capacity
• Engaging board and senior management for support and success
• Sustaining the effort for the long-term

Fees detailed at www.planningforgood.net

advance registration required,  no charge for Planning For Good clients

Complete details available at www.planningforgood.net

email @srueflindquist@gmail.com or call 975-5165

The films include “The Triumverate”, ‘Vital Records” and ‘For the Life of Me” by Jean Strauss, “Adoptee Rights:Philadelphia 2009” by Scott Hancock and “Roots: Unknown” by Zara Phillips.

Admission is by donation and light hors devours will be served at intermission. Festivities begin at Noon at The Maine Studios Facility on Presumpscot Street in Portland.

Snowdate is January 3^rd, 2010.

The Maine Studios is an eco-friendly Film Studio located in Portland; Maine’s largest city.  With over 43,000 square feet of production and office space, this facility is one of the largest film studios in the Northeast.  www.mainefilmstudios.com

CONTACT: Sarah Ruef-Lindquist (207) 975-5165

HALLOWELL, Maine.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist has been named President of the Board of the Maine Bar Foundation (MBF) for the year 2010.

Founded in 1983, MBF serves Maine’s communities and the legal professional through its administration of the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”) Program and other public-service law related activities. MBF funds Pine Tree Legal Services, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Maine Equal Justice Partners, Legal Services for the Elderly, the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic and has also provided funding to other non-profit organizations working to increase access to justice for those in poverty in Maine.

The Maine Bar Foundation has provided leadership and administrative support to one of the most successful fundraising initiatives amongst lawyers and the judiciary in the United States: Now in its 6^th year, the Campaign for Justice raises more funds from lawyers and the judiciary in Maine for legal services than all but one other state, raising over $400,000 in each of the years 2008 and in 2009 to support access to justice.

Ruef-Lindquist, a member of the Foundation Board since 2003, has served as Development Chair, Finance Chair, Investment Committee Chair and Treasurer. She also serves on the board of the Maine Philanthropy Center. She also serves on the Development Committee of Franklin Pierce Law Center, and has served on numerous boards of Maine and New Hampshire non-profits. She is a frequent writer and speaker on the topic of trust, estate and charitable planning, and is Senior Consultant and founder of Planning for Good, www.planningforgood.net providing gift planning support services to non-profits.

The Maine Bar Foundation’s offices are located at 40 Water Street, Hallowell. www.mbf.org