Dr. Jacobs is a member of the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) and may be reached for more information at 207-774-6251 or by emailing drj@drloujacobs.com. For more information on the ICPA visit www.icpa4kids.org or follow Dr. Jacobs on twitter @drloujacobs.

Five Gambling Casinos in Maine?

Last weekend, CasinosNO! posted a 60-second ad on its website, YouTube and Facebook, and sent it around via Twitter seeking donations so it can run the ad on local TV. The group says it wants to counter the deceptive messages from the casino proponents.

(You can see the ad on YouTube HERE.)

“In just 24 hours, we’ve raised several thousand dollars in small donations, $25, $50, $100,” said Dennis Bailey, executive director of CasinosNO! “The response has been great, and I’m convinced that if we can get this ad on the air for the final few weeks, we’ll stop Maine from having five gambling casinos.”

Bailey said the ad was e-mailed to the group’s 3,000 members who were urged to donate online at www.casinosno.com as well as forward the message to their friends and colleagues.

“The beauty of social media is that even if this ad doesn’t make it onto local TV, thousands of people are going to see our message,” Bailey said.

The ad, entitled “Five Casinos in Maine?”, features Biddeford and Saco residents (who, unlike the ad by the casino proponents, are identified in the ad) and was written and produced entirely by Maine talent. All the participants volunteered to appear in the ad and were not paid for their effort. The filming and post-production was done by Gum Spirits Productions, Inc. of Portland.

The ad informs voters that the two casino questions would result in five gambling casinos in Maine, more than any state in New England. It argues against a “bailout” for Scarborough Downs, the racetrack that is behind the Biddeford casino proposal, which already receives millions of dollars a year as its share of slots revenue from the Bangor racino, yet the money doesn’t even cover the track’s losses due to declining attendance. It quotes officials in Saratoga Springs where a racino is having a negative effect on local jobs and businesses, and urges a NO vote on both questions 2 and 3.

“All the claims the casino proponents are making were made in 2003, and none of them have come true,” said Bailey. “Maine people won’t be fooled a second time – if we can get the truth out. The fate of these casino questions is in their hands. Actually, it’s in their wallets, which is why we’re asking them to donate online at the CasinosNO! website.”

Contact: Dennis Bailey, 207-749-4963

(Auburn, Maine)-Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) recently launched their new website, www.wmca.org. The website was designed and developed by Encompass Marketing (www.encompassmarketing.com) of Auburn, Maine.

Sue Ellen Richardson, WMCA Development Officer and point of contact for the website project said that WMCA needed to do a better job of branding themselves and explaining their breadth of services. “Encompass Marketing worked closely with our staff to create a site that highlights all our offerings and is user friendly for both the staff and for the consumer.”

Established in 1965, Western Maine Community Action is a social service agency that has been providing programs and services that include health, nutrition, heating/energy assistance, employment and education training. WMCA primarily serves the residents of Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin County.

Richardson said the wide range of services presented a challenge. “We needed to have several staff members able to easily make changes and updates to the site.” Encompass’ creative programming solution gives each WMCA service area their own portion of the website to which the respective WMCA employees can easily make their own relevant updates and changes. “From health screenings and updates to information on emergency heating, we often deal with time sensitive information. We are now able to easily get this information posted and make sure it is seen by people who need that information.”

Encompass Marketing is a comprehensive services firm of talented professionals, integrating marketing, graphic design, public relations, fundraising and internal management under one umbrella, to support the branding and financial goals of non-profit organizations and social enterprises.

Lawmaker Releases Bill to Legalize, Tax and Regulate Marijuana

Supporters rally at Portland City Hall to Celebrate

PORTLAND – Supporters will gather for a press conference at Portland City Hall Wednesday 4/20/11 at 10:00 AM to formally release LD 1453, “An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana,” sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland).

“It is time to stop turning otherwise law-abiding people into criminals, begin taxing Marijuana for commercial sale, and refocus our criminal justice resources toward issues that are truly devastating communities,” said Rep. Russell.

The bill, which has Republican and Democratic cosponsors, would legalize the personal use and cultivation of marijuana, tax consumer purchases at 7%, license certain commercial marijuana-related activities, while providing provisions to protect minors, employers and schools.

“The current policy has left us with absolutely no control over the market leaving young people readily able to access marijuana,” said Rep. Russell. “In addition, we are considering serious cuts to public safety and education as a result of a bad economy. Let’s create a stringent regulatory system to protect our children while securing tax revenue from a market we all know exists.”

The bill directs the state to distribute the revenue generated by the tax equally among specific programs that benefit farmers, preserve land, assist law enforcement, fund weatherization and support higher education.

“If done correctly then this proposed legislation will not only be the end to a failed policy of prohibition, but will be a fantastic job creator for Mainer’s from Kittery to Madawaska,” said Jonathan Leavitt, director for the Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative. “As Maine is already known for lobsters, blueberries, and potato’s, so it is now becoming known for Maine homegrown marijuana. And unlike these other industries, the small farmer will actually benefit.”

The state legislature hopes to see more than $400,000 in five-percent sales-tax revenue from the voter approved marijuana dispensaries in their first full year of operation (starting this summer), and hundreds of thousands more after that.

According to estimates by Harvard University studies, replacing marijuana prohibition with a system of taxation and regulation would save between $10 billion and $14 billion per year in reduced government spending and increased tax revenues nationally.

“States around the country are beginning to acknowledge that criminalizing people who use drugs is costly, inhumane and damaging to society,” said Maine Civil Liberties Public Policy Counsel Alysia Melnick. “In addition to diverting scarce law enforcement and judicial resources from serious crime, the impact of even a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession creates barriers in finding a house, a job, and even a school loan.  This bill represents smart policy that would regulate and tax marijuana for adults, just like alcohol and tobacco.”

More than 750 people from across the country and around the state have signed onto an online petition supporting the bill.

The bill, LD 1435, will have a public hearing in the coming weeks. It must be approved by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee prior to votes by the full legislature in the House and Senate.
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Contact: Dr. Lou Jacobs – 207-807-1119 or drj@drloujacobs.com

Portland Doctor has message for Governor LePage about addiction problem

Portland, Maine — Governor Paul LePage has a serious drug problem. His state has recently been ranked #1 in the country for treatment rates for addiction to the pain killers oxycodone and hydrocodone. Dr. Lou Jacobs of Portland, Maine believes he has a partial solution to the problem for Governor LePage. Focus more on drug free healthcare for key health problems that may often be effectively treated without prescriptions.

Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States — only headache is more common. For over 110 years chiropractic care has successfully treated low back pain and headache for a fraction of the cost of traditional medical modalities and without the risk of drug addiction.

Chiropractic is the third largest healthcare profession in The United States. The foundation of chiropractic care since 1895 has always been drugless and non-surgical intervention that regulates the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Maine has a wealth of Doctors of Chiropractic who can provide a first line of treatment for people in pain without using risky and highly addictive medications like Oxycontin.

Chiropractors will also save the state money. In the short term, fewer and less expensive medical claims paid by the state. In the long term, less need for detox clinics, crime investigation and state funded social services aimed at addiction treatment. Additionally it will position Maine as a progressive, health conscious state that could use a little help in this area. Maine statistics show that over 60% of residents are overweight or obese, and of now there’s the Oxycontin issue to boot. Governor LePage has the opportunity to clean up addiction and crime as well as reduce the healthcare burden on taxpayers, thereby freeing up money for important issues. He simply needs to begin discussion and ask for help from Maine’s chiropractic community.

            At the Hallowell meeting, the newly formed Maine Outdoor Federation solidified its mission statement, or purpose, as follows:    “The Maine Outdoor Federation is a group of organizations united to give public visibility to issues in the outdoors and serves as a network of information, communication and action. Our purpose is to work together to preserve our natural resources and ensure our outdoor heritage lives on for future generations,”

            Those outdoor organizations that indicated an interest in joining with the new federation are: Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Maine Wilderness Guides Association, Maine Professional Guides Association, Maine Wild Turkey Federation, Maine Charter Boat Captains, Maine Youth Fish and Game, Ruffed Grouse Society, Aroostook County Conservation Association, Northwoods Sporting Journal, Rangeley Region Guides & Sporting Association, Maine Trappers Association, Fly Fishing in Maine, Grand Lake Steam Guides Association, IF&W Advisory Council, Maine Chapter of  Safari Club International, Maine Bowhunters Association, and Maine Bass Federation.

            At the Brewer meeting, after ratifying its constitution and bylaws, the Maine Outdoor Federation elected Al Smith of Jay to be its first President. Smith has worked for sportsmen’s organizations across the country, including the Bass Angler Sportsman Society and the Pennsylvania Sportsman’s Association. Despite being between jobs, the Maine native nonetheless was excited about the Maine Outdoor Federation. “I never appreciated what we have here until I went to work for BASS in Alabama, where if you wanted to go hunting, you either had to own land or pay big money to get into a club,” he said. “If we’re going to preserve our outdoor heritage, Maine needs this.”

  Other officers elected at the meeting include Dan Tarkinson of Fly Fishing in Maine as Vice President and Bryan Courtois from the Wilderness Guides Organization as Secretary-Treasurer. At Large Executive Committee members elected were V. Paul Reynolds of the Northwoods Sporting Journal and Forrest Faulkingham of the Maine Association of Charterboat Captains.

            In an effort to build its state-wide membership, the new federation will also be conducting an outreach program specifically aimed at convincing the state’s numerous fish and game clubs that affiliation with the Maine Outdoor Federation can serve to help preserve Maine’s natural resources and proud outdoor heritage. Any outdoor organizations interested in membership or learning more about MOF should contact Al Smith at 334 730 2785 or email him at  Asmith@MaineOutdoorFederation.org.

The website is a searchable database of senior-focused products, services and resources from all over the state.  Business, non-profit, agency and government information is included in the database, which has more than 7,000 listings and is growing daily. Designed as a resource for adult children as well as active and frail seniors, the site includes six categories and 40+ subcategories of resources ranging from independent living to senior real estate experts.  At the same time, it serves as an additional forum for small business to connect with clients. With excellent data and lots of information, MSG will be a formidable resource for Maine’s seniors and their families, and a targeted marketing venue for Maine’s businesses.

Maine Senior Guide is free to viewers. Principals Lynn Peel and Deborah McLean founded the company to establish a collaborative resource that would include free listings as well as more detailed information about paying resources. “It’s a comprehensive site,” notes McLean, “but it’s not complete. We’re accepting listings from groups, non-profits, businesses and associations. Even if you don’t want an enhanced listing right now, we’d still like to include you in the database so that people know you exist.”  Peel added, “We want such a complete database of senior products and services that if someone’s daughter lives in Massachusetts and wants to see what resources are available for her mom in Lincoln, all she has to do in put “Lincoln” into our search function and she’ll get everything from health care to volunteer opportunities.”

Maine Senior Guide offers a free calendar function, numerous articles in a searchable library, a weekly blog, and information posting called “Ask Lynn” plus a weekly column by an expert resource. The Maine Senior Guide Facebook and Twitter postings also feed to the site. Maine Senior Guide is at www.maineseniorguide.com

For more information, contact Deborah McLean (dmclean@MaineSeniorGuide.com) or Lynn Peel (lpeel@MaineSeniorGuide.com)

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After graduating from Gorham High School, Nason attended the University of Southern Maine where she was active in theater and music. Though her son was born in New York City, he now attends Gould Academy because “I want him to experience Maine and grow up like I did,” Nason said.

By the age of 17, Nason was touring with the Rick Pinette Band and later throughout New England and Canada with her own band, The Karen Nason Band. In addition to writing music and performing, Nason owned a jazz bar and restaurant in New York City for twelve years. She currently co-owns the rights to Bette Middler’s The Rose and hopes to bring the rock ‘n roll musical to Broadway. Her latest venture is a CD she recorded in Nashville, ”Talk to the Hand.” The CD features all original music by sister/brother songwriting team Karen and Maine resident, Jeff Nason.

Jonathan Edwards, who moved to Maine in 2009, is a popular and acclaimed performer whose repertoire includes such classics as “Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy,” “Sometimes,” “One Day Closer,” “Don’t Cry Blue,” “Emma,” Shanty,” and of course, the anthemic “Sunshine (Go Away Today)”.

In Concert: Jonathan Edwards with Karen Nason will be held on Friday, October 8^th, at The Landing at Pine Point.  Doors open at 6:30. The show begins at 7:30. Dinner menu will be available until 9:00. Joining Nason and Edwards will be piano player, Joel Diamond who was musical director for Eric Clapton.

Visit https://thelandingatpinepoint.com or call 839-2244 to purchase tickets.