• The Elder Elves, a volunteer program of the Senior Center at Lower Village, assemble approximately 50-75 gift bags annually for seniors who are all alone on Christmas. The bags are filled using donations from supporters and local businesses, and every item is individually hand-wrapped by the Elves. These bags are distributed to seniors by HomeHealth Visiting Nurses (formerly SMMC Visiting Nurses), the town’s social services departments and Meals on Wheels. According to Susan Pettit, Executive Director at the Senior Center at Lower Village, the Elder Elves have been providing this gift to the community since 1992. “I am so very proud of this program,” Pettit says; “The Elves themselves often donate items for the bags …the volunteers who make this all happen are fabulous people.”

• Volunteers from the Seacoast Garden Club prepare several Boxwood Trees each year for HomeHealth Visiting Nurses to distribute to patients in Arundel, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. 

• Greg Burns RN, a Pediatric Nurse with HHVN, provided the name of a family to the staff at Amica Insurance, who generously met the family’s needs this season.

Many HHVN staff and volunteers also bought, wrapped and delivered gifts and essential items to patients in need.

• The HHVN Intake Department sponsored two York County families.
• The HHVN Pediatric Nursing and Rehab team sponsored two families in Cumberland County.
• HHVN volunteers sponsored two families in Cumberland County.

[note: 2 photos attached. In the photo titled “Checking the List,” Nancy Hewett, Pediatric RN, is pictured at HHVN’s Portland office, checking her list of recipients next to a car loaded with donated gifts. In the photo titled “Loading the Car,” (also taken at HHVN’s Portland office) Greg Burns, Pediatric RN (pictured on the far left) and Louise Barton RN, Pediatric Clinical Supervisor (on the far right) watch while other members of HHVN’s Pediatric Nursing and Rehab Teams load the back of a visiting clinician’s SUV with donated gifts and necessities. Also attached: a close up of the contents of one of the donated gift baskets for a child in need.]

About HomeHealth Visiting Nurses
HomeHealth Visiting Nurses is a not-for-profit home health care agency providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health aide support, medical social work, maternal and child health care, community health and wellness clinics, Telehealth and other services in Cumberland, York and Southern Oxford Counties to patients of all ages. HomeHealth Visiting Nurses is a member of MaineHealth. For more information, call 1-800-660-4867 or visit www.homehealth.org.

For more information on The Senior Center at Lower Village, visit www.seniorcenterkennebunk.org

For more information on the Seacoast Garden Club, visit http://www.seacoastgardenclub.org/

Press Release Contact Info:

Charity Hirst, Development & Community Relations Associate
HomeHealth Visiting Nurses
207-284-4566 ext. 4336; chirst@homehealth.org

This weekend the greater Portland Yoga community will be sitting at the feet of the great traveling sadhu Bhagavan Das.  Don’t miss this opportunity to soak up the love & high vibrations from the Master of Nada (Sound) Yoga himself.  Three events will be offered & open to the public at Bhava Yoga School (BYS), 500 Forest Avenue, Portland.  For ticket information visit http://ww.bhavayogaschool.com.

Friday 18th 8-10pm Satsang: Flame of Living Love “What is the Guru?” $35

Saturday 19th 2-5pm Temple of Sound Nada Yoga Purification $55

Saturday 19th 7-10pm Kirtan $30 Door prices are now available on-line.  Attendees are asked to bring a cushion.  No pictures, filming, or musical instruments allowed.  Children under 10 are free.

Join BYS, Portland’s first Bhakti Yoga Studio, for a series of yogic lectures, workshops, & blissful music Friday, November 18th & Saturday, November 19th.

Event schedule:
Friday 8-10pm Satsang (Community) : “What is the Guru?”
Saturday 2-5pm Temple of Sound Nada Yoga Purification
Saturday 7-10pm Kirtan (devotional music).

Visit http://www.bhavayogaschool.com for ticket information & purchase. All three events now $95 through October.

About Bhagavan Das

Teacher, performer, counter-cultural icon, lover of God: Bhagavan Das is as rich and manifold as Existence itself.

Bhagavan Das is one of the last living cultural icon of the 60′s. As Ram Das’s mentor (author of Be Here Now) he ushered in the New Age Spiritual Movement being the first Kirtan Artist in America. His groundbreaking album “Ah” (1971) produced by Jimmi Hendrix’s manager Michael Jeffrey’s was the first World Music album from Electric Ladyland. Bhagavan Das has also toured with Allen Ginsberg, opened for the Grateful Dead and sang with Bob Dylan.

Living as a sadhu in India for six years Bhagavan Das studied the ancient science of Nada Yoga under the guidance and direction of his Guru Neem Karoli Baba. Nada Yoga is the path of devotion to the inner sound current as a means to God Realization. Alan Watt’s himself saying in a Rolling Stone review of the Album “Ah” that “Bhagavan Das is truly a Master of Nada Yoga”.

Bhagavan Das’s rare and sacred offering to this world is like a singing open heart heralding the Guru’s Grace through the vehicle of Sound.

__________________________________________________________

About Bhava Yoga School

Bhava Yoga School (BYS) has been serving the extended Portland community through the fostering of devotion for body, soul, & spirit through yogic practices like chanting, vinyasa yoga, & meditation.  Come celebrate our one year anniversary with this series of amazing offerings. Coming up~ 200 Hr Teacher Training March 2012 & Weekend Beginner Sanskrit Immersion March 2012. _______________________________________________________________

“Maine Doctor loses both Parents in 14 months and wages war on Cancer.”

Contact: Dr. Lou Jacobs (207) 807-1119, drj@drloujacobs.com

Portland, ME — New England’s hairiest fundraiser is back and growing quickly. Dr. Lou Jacobs lost his mother to Inflammatory Breast Cancer on May 19, 2010 and his father to Leukemia on July 6, 2011. Unfortunately, this story of loss is not unusual. Dr. Jacobs is the founder of Mystache Fights Cancer, a locally grown facial hair fundraiser that donates 100% of donations to The Cancer Community Center of South Portland, Maine and The Campaign for Cancer Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Last year the fundraiser in memory of his mother and then living father raised thousands of dollars for The Cancer Community Center. This year, he has added another non-profit to the list of beneficiaries, the hospital where his father was cared for. “Many patients with cancer from Maine are cared for at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and their affiliate Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. People come from all over the country and world to receive treatment there.”

Mystache Fights Cancer 2011 will begin on September 24, 2011 and will end on January 1, 2012. The event is designed to get men involved in a way that does not involve traditional races, relays or triathlons. Mustaches, beards and other facial hair are grown and people pledge or donate to have these brave men continue to grow the ‘stache or to shave it. Dr. Jacobs, who is also the director of the New England Bureau of the American Mustache Institute, says that “with the current popularity of the mustache, we should have tremendous participation this year. Mustached heroes who participate can come from anywhere, this is open to all Americans, to all nations.”

The purpose of Mystache Fights Cancer is to contribute to not only finding a cure but taking a much deeper look at the cause of the cancer epidemic in America. As many as one in two Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Education, prevention and evaluating our lifestyle is essential if we want to stand a chance of beating this disease. Of the thousands of fundraisers for fighting cancer, most do not focus on the cause, only finding a cure. That distinction is what separates the Mystache project from the others. While participation in this fundraiser may not be for everyone, fighting this disease is. Statistically there is no doubt that everyone will be or will know someone affected by this disease.

A kick off photo party with drinks and refreshments will be held on September 24 from 5:30 to 7pm for participants at Dr. Jacobs’ office at 138 St John Street in Portland, Maine.

When:
September 24, 2011 – January 1, 2011
Donations: (Donations are tax deductible)
Sent to:
The Cancer Community Center
778 Main Sreet
South Portland, ME
04106

Their newly revised website features an updated navigation system and home page showcase making it easy for customers to learn more about their environmentally friendly alternatives to oil heat such as oil boiler optimization, heating system upgrades, natural gas and wood pellet conversions.

Pat Coon, one of the founding partners of reVision heat is excited about the new direction of the website and it’s potential to drive company growth. He states, “We’ve got a story to tell, and this is going to be a great tool to help us tell it.”

The reVision heat story will continue to be told on their website with expanding content, customer success stories, engaging blog entries and new product offerings as well as through their social presence on Twitter and Facebook.

About reVision heat

reVision heat is a Maine heating contractor passionate about getting Mainers off oil by providing cleaner more sustainable alternatives such as wood stoves, wood boilers, pellet stoves, pellet boilers, natural gas conversions and heating system upgrades. Serving the Bangor and Portland areas, reVision heat’s vision is to become the leader in the state in reduction of fossil fuel by residential users.

Highly anticipated each year, the Catherine Breer poster calendar has become a collector’s item for art enthusiasts world-wide.

Now in its ninth year of production, the calendar sells at anniecatherine.com and in boutiques, bookstores, museum shops, and fine stationery stores coast to coast and internationally. Each month offers the artist’s perspective of the times and tides of life. Bold colors and bright images are the trademark of this fine artist, whose paintings hang in galleries and private collections world-wide.

The 2012 calendar follows Catherine’s travels throughout the coast of Maine and her observations of coastal homes, water views, and objects normally overlooked.

The artist comments about the 2012 calendar: In the dead of winter I drove up to Harpswell to teach a painting class and kept going all the way to the end. I found an old fishing shack with buoys stacked up and a blue bucket. [January] Going to Vinalhaven in February is completely a different experience from going in the summer. The ferry pitches and rolls, it’s freezing out, you hunker down and hope not to get seasick. But it’s special in the winter. All the tourists and summer folk are gone, and the island takes on a different rhythm. The view of Main Street is a slice of life in the off season. [December] Summer found me in East Boothbay, Maine enjoying fishing, swimming and relaxation; and, of course, painting. [July] In August we took a family trip on the Nathaniel Bowditch schooner out of Rockland for a few days. What a memorable trip. Sleeping on deck under the stars, eating delicious food on deck, having a lobster bake on a deserted island. [April | October] One day we stopped in Stonington and I painted the cover image of the calendar from the bow of that magnificent ship. [August]

The calendar is offered in three sizes. Poster calendar, 11” x 14”, retails for $30.00; desk calendar 5” x 7” retails for $16.00; easel desk calendar, 5” x 6” retails for $17.00. Frames are available for both the poster and the desk size calendars.

About annie|catherine

Founded in 2004 by two kindred artists and designers, annie|catherine is headquartered in a historic Cinamon building in Portland, Maine. The company creates a diverse collection of exquisite designer stationery that features original artwork and graphics – a line that includes notecards, holiday and special occasion cards, calendars and wrapping paper. As part of their commitment to the environment and social responsibility, the company uses only recycled, FSC certified paper; prints at a plant whose electricity is generated entirely by wind power; works with vendors who pay a living wage; and is committed to giving back to the community.

The line is sold online at www.anniecatherine.com as well as in hundreds of fine stationery, gift and specialty stores worldwide.

1 Pleasant Street, 2W Portland, Maine 04101 ph 207.619.7005 fax 207619.7008 www.anniecatherine.com email info@anniecatherine.com

Designer & Select Resale Clothing. Vintage Clothing Circa 1800 – 1970′s. Women’s & Men’s Vintage, Designer, Contemporary, Retro Clothing and Accessories. Resale and Consignments. Location: (521 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101).

Fast becoming a favorite of locals and visitors alike, the Maine Home+Design Midcoast Show returns to Point Lookout for the third year the weekend of June 11thand 12th. Architects, builders, landscape designers, interior designers, kitchen suppliers, artists, food purveyors, and more will be represented in over 200 booths. This show is a must for people interested in any aspect of building, remodeling and enjoying their homes. Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 free, and a portion of your admission price will go to support Midcoast Habitat for Humanity.

One of June’s biggest parties got an extra boost of fun when Cellardoor Winery and Megunticook Market announced recently that Huey Lewis and The News will be performing at their annual Pop the Cork celebration in Rockport village. The party starts at 5:30 on 6/23/11. As always, food, wine and fun will abound. There are sure to be plenty of extra surprises, including the unveiling of Cellardoor Winery’s 2011 Artist Series release. Advanced ticket purchase required.Get your tickets at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/173230 or by calling the winery at (207) 763-4478.

75 years ago Captain Frank Swift of Camden offered the very first windjammer cruises from the prettiest harbor in Maine and the company he founded- Maine Windjammer Cruises- is still going strong and offering special trips this summer, not least on the two original Swift vessels still in the fleet- Grace Bailey and Mercantile. The 75-year-old company is currently owned by Captain Ray and Ann Williamson, who also celebrate their 25thanniversary as owners this year.

The industry as a whole (a score and then some of authentic vessels sailing out of Maine ports, predominantly out of Camden, Rockport, and Rockland) will be celebrating too. To mark this historic milestone the Maine Windjammer Association, the organization that includes more than a dozen of the windjammers, will host a celebratory raft-up, as well as a windjammer parade and concert open to the public. The “Schooner Gam” (or meet up) will take place June 13. FMI: www.sailmainecoast.com
A couple of days before there’s another birthday in the fleet, when Rockland based windjammer Isaac H Evans turns 125 years old on June 11. There will be a party open to all from 4:00pm – 7:00pm in Rockland’s North End shipyard on the 11th, with music, appetizers, and tours of the boat. All ages welcome. 877-238-1325. www.mainesailingadventures.com
Finally, but still on the water: older than all yet somehow ageless, two of the majestic windjammers that call Penobscot Bay home will turn 140 years old this year. Sailing since the days of President Grant, the Stephen Taber of Rockland and the Lewis R. Frenchof Camden are having a joint birthday party June 17-18, 2011 with open houses, a celebration at the Pearl on Rockland’s public landing, and a bragging rights race that will a spectacular event to watch from dry land or spectator boat. www.windjammerbirthdays.com/
June in the Camden Hills area and Penobscot Bay offer something everyone: for more events visit our calendar at http://camdenme.org/calendar

Spring Music Fling To Raise Money For Relay For Life Of Greater Portland Scheduled For April 30^th, 2011

PORTLAND, MAINE April 7^th, 2011 – Celebrating three decades of music and hits, the Relay For Life of Greater Portland will be hosting a Spring Music Fling in partnership with The Gold Room in Portland, featuring Motor Booty Affair, Time Pilots and Sly-Chi.

“Since the theme of this year’s Relay For Life of Greater Portland event is ‘A World With Less Cancer Is A World With More Birthdays’ it seemed appropriate to celebrate as many birthdays as we could in one night. We were fortunate to partner with The Gold Room and these three popular bands to feature music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s” explains event co-chair Susan Towle.

In addition to the dance parties that will be breaking out around The Gold Room, Relay For Life of Greater Portland Youth Outreach Chair Andrea Levinsky, a senior at Deering High School, is organizing a silent auction featuring donations from area businesses and Relay For Life of Greater Portland teams. Items to include four floor seats to any Red Claws game in the 2011-2012 season, live theater tickets, local restaurant gift certificates, hand-crafted pottery items and much more.

The Spring Music Fling featuring Motor Booty Affair, Time Pilots and Sly-Chi will take place on Saturday 30^th at The Gold Room on Warren Avenue in Portland. Gates open at 7 PM and the show starts at 8 PM and will end at 1 AM. Show is ages 21+. Tickets are $20 per person and proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland. To purchase tickets please email greaterportlandrelay@gmail.com.

About the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland is a life-changing event that gives everyone in our community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. People from all walks of life come together with a shared mission of furthering the American Cancer Society’s vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. The 2011 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland event take place at South Portland High School on Friday, June 17^th at 6 PM and end on Saturday, June 18^th at 7 AM.

For more information on the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland, or this particular fundraising event, please contact Elisa Doucette by phone or email.

# # #

Contact Information:

Elisa Doucette
Volunteer Publicity Chair
American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Portland
Phone: (207) 233-7805
Email: elisa.doucette@gmail.com
Web: http://www.relayforlife.org/greaterportlandme
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/relayforlifegreaterportland