Giving Back

Hospitality for Habitat is a Maine Innkeepers Association fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Participating Innkeepers will offer guests 50 percent off their regular room rates between April 21 and May 23 in exchange for a $35 donation made to Habitat for Humanity.

Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization, leveraged $5,700 in support for Friends of Casco Bay’s education and outreach with a challenge gift of $2,500.

New Hires, Promotions and Appointments

Gary Berenson, executive director of the Maine Jewish Museum, will complete his rabbinic training within the next several months, and will be leaving the museum. Berenson will remain close by the museum at 267 Congress St. as he will serve Etz Chaim’s congregation at the same address.

Peter Pitegoff, dean of the University of Maine School of Law,  will retire from the deanship in June 2015. He will remain at Maine Law as an active member of the faculty.

Edward Bilotti, M.D., has been named the medical director of the Mercy Recovery Center, a substance abuse treatment center known for its work in treating the entire spectrum of chemical abuse. Located in Westbrook, Mercy Recovery Center is part of the Mercy Health System of Maine, a provider of comprehensive healthcare services. Bilotti is a board certified psychiatrist and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology.

New Ventures

Lola Studios is celebrating its opening with a 5-8 p.m. party Friday, March 14 at the State Theater building, 142 High St., Suite 501-A, Portland. The studio will also be open for First Friday artwalks starting in May. A photo booth and refreshments will be available. Lauren Sheffield Lear provides the experience for her clients to explore their self image through creative portraiture. Contact sheffieldlc@gmail.com, 332-6719 or www.lola-studios.com.

Plato’s Closet in South Portland opened March 6 at 333 Clark’s Pond Parkway. Plato’s Closet is part of a unique national recycling retail chain that specializes in clothing and accessories for teens and twenty-somethings. The trendy clothing store buys and sells guys and girls gently-used, brand-name clothing and accessories, including shoes, belts, purses, jewelry and other items.

Coffee By Design celebrated the opening of a new coffee bar at 1 Diamond St. in Portland on March 3. Owners Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, addressed the audience before cutting a “ribbon” made from burlap coffee bags, to welcome guests into the new space.

The providers of Mid Coast Medical Group – Topsham began seeing patients at their new 11,000-square-foot medical facility on March 3. The facility offers adult internal medicine and primary care, and is located just off Route 196, adjacent to The Highlands, at One Wellness Way. Current and new patients are welcome.

Maine Spine & Nerve Institute, a practice specializing in using advanced medical technology to treat peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, herniated discs and spinal stenosis without pain medications or surgical intervention, has relocated from Damariscotta to 200 Professional Drive in Scarborough.

Recognition

The Portland Water District was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).  The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This is the 16th year in a row that the Portland Water District has met the strict guidelines for achieving this award.

Custom Home Theater Systems & Automation of Brunswick, was recently named by TechHome, a division of the Consumer Electronics Association, as one of the best custom integration and installed technology professionals in the industry. Awards were announced at the Mark of Excellence reception held during the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev.

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From left, Pete Brown of STRIVE, Portland Harbor Hotel General Manager Gerard Kiladjian, and John Woods of Share Our Strength Southern Maine display a check for $10,000, raised in three evenings in late January at Portland Harbor Hotel’s Ice Bar. The money, from cover charges for the bar, was shared with Share our Strength Southern Maine and STRIVE Portland.