Downtown Portland Corp.
presents business awards

PORTLAND — The Downtown Portland Corporation presented its 15th annual business awards on Thursday, Nov. 18 to three local businesses that have played a major role in developing Portland’s economic vitality.

Maine Red Claws was presented with the 2010 Economic Development Achievement Award in recognition of its successful first season last year. The professional basketball team led the NBA D-League in season ticket sales and overall revenue.

B&M, a Division of B&G Foods, received the 2010 Business of the Year Award for its more than 140 years of success in the city. The company employs approximately 150 people.

The 2010 Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Allagash Brewing. Growing from a one-man brewing company in 1995 to a company that employs 25, Allagash Brewing has received national awards for its premiere beers. Additionally, the company gives back to the community through its Allagash Tribute Series. For every bottle sold, a dollar has been donated to local nonprofits, with recent donations of $10,000 given to the St. Lawrence Arts Center, Victoria Mansion and Maine Pediatric Nurses Association.

 

New Ventures

Kevin Mackell has recently opened a sports massage therapy center, Athlete’s Touch, at 23 Ocean Ave., Portland. Athlete’s Touch specializes in two distinct massage therapy services, PRO Therapy and Relax and Recover Massage. PRO Therapy is a combination of sport-specific massage techniques tailored to the individual’s needs; its goal is to promote optimum performance, injury-free training and to minimize post-event injuries. For more information about Athlete’s Touch, including self-scheduling of appointments online, please visit athletestouch.org.

The new Marvin Design Gallery by Eldredge has recently opened its showroom at 317 Marginal Way in Portland. The 4,500 square foot window and door showroom will display its products in installed, “home-like” settings. The Design Gallery will present numerous options from Marvin and Integrity Windows and Doors, including custom wood windows, standard or special-sized fiberglass windows in different styles and options, as well as complementary products, such as specialty hardware. Other services include blueprint take-offs, installation services, post-sale services, quotations, delivery, and computer-aided custom design capabilities. Owner Scott Eldredge recently held a grand opening celebration to welcome new customers.

Cynthia Talbot of Falmouth has opened CJTalbot Services, providing project support to environmental and energy consulting firms and governmental entities. CJTalbot Services specializes in technical writing and editing, management, data analysis and presentation, and other administrative services. Visit the firm’s website at cjtalbotservices.com.

Independence BioFuel, ReVision Energy and ReVision Heat have recently established a strategic partnership based on the companies’ shared mission to help Maine homes and businesses transition to clean, renewable energy. Independence BioFuel is a southern Maine provider of BioHeat fuel and markets compressed wood bricks and pellet fuel. ReVision Heat, now Independence BioFuel’s recommended service provider, performs heating system maintenance, efficiency upgrades, including designing and installing biomass-fueled heating equipment. ReVision Energy offers professional design, installation and service of solar energy solutions, including solar photovoltaic electric, and solar-thermal hot water systems. For more information contact: Independence BioFuel at 1-800-228-1883, ReVisionHeat at 989-8500, or ReVisionEnergy at 221-6342.

Hope Hoffman is now offering violin/fiddle lessons at a new studio in Portland, in addition to her Bowdoinham studio. Hoffman’s Portland studio is part of the new Lucid Stage arts center, located at 29 Baxter Blvd. Students of all abilities and ages are welcome. To register, call 332-3459, or visit hopehoffman.org.

Public-relations company Public Advocacy for Maine has recently launched its new program that will offer free or greatly reduced PR services for area businesses demonstrating need. Services available include media relations, political campaigns, special projects, program design, grant-writing, event planning, conflict mediation and employee or investor relations, PAM will offer these contracted services, among others, at reasonable rates to groups that are making a positive community impact and are dedicated to embracing compassion and diversity. Interested organizations can contact Melissa Gates at publicadvocacyformaine@rocketmail.com. for more information.

Thrifty Kitty Thrift Store is now open for business at 651 Forest Ave., second floor, in Woodfords Corner, Portland. The store sells books, videos, housewares, glassware, seasonal items and more. All proceeds benefit nonprofit Friends of Feral Felines. For more information, call 797-3014 or visit feralfelines.net.

Passionflower Farm of West Bath now has year-round retail space at Ornament, a home and garden boutique located at 11 Centre St. in Bath. Kathe Mickunas, proprietor of Passionflower Farm, will offer a selection of pre-arranged take-away bouquets. As a full-service florist, the store will also sell fresh arrangements, individual stems, gardening supplies, artisan gift cards, vases and pots. Passionflower Farm also offers garden design, seasonal decorations, floral services for area businesses and local delivery.
Learn more at passionflower.com.

Happy Teriyaki, at 630 Congress St., Portland, has renovated the exterior facade and has reopened as Korea House, an all-Korean cuisine restaurant. Myung and Kum You, husband and wife owners, have revamped the menu to include a wide range of authentic Korean dishes.

Brenda Bechtel of Cape Elizabeth recently published a 120-page cookbook, “Old World Organics: From the old to the new…healthy and sustainable living through traditional Sicilian cooking.” The cookbook features recipes from her mother’s Sicilian and American heritage based on using simple, pure and organic ingredients.

Summit Adventure Systems of Maine has opened an Extreme Family Entertainment Center in the old Linens ‘n Things space at the Maine Mall in South Portland. The center, owned by Jeff Hunnewell, features a rock climbing wall, laser tag, bungee trampolines, human hamster balls and other extreme sports simulators and attractions. Summit Adventures is open seven days a week.

Winters Gone Farm & Alpaca Store has expanded its operations with the opening of Winters Gone Alpaca Fashions retail store in Bath’s historic district at 104 Front St. Owners Skip and Judi Taylor established Winters Gone Farm & Alpaca Store eight years ago in Wiscasset and will continue to operate the farm and its store. The new retail location in Bath celebrated its grand opening Monday, Nov. 22.

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Volunteers from Town & Country Federal Credit Union, the Maine Cancer Foundation, Back Cove Neighborhood Association and the Woodford-Oakdale Neighborhood Associations recently planted more than 600 pink tulip bulbs to create a breast cancer awareness garden at the Baxter Sundial Park in Portland’s Back Cove. The Pink Tulip Project has raised over $200,000 in support of Maine Cancer Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Fund since it began in 2006. Pictured here, from left, are Bob Leger, Peter King, Rob Whitten, John Spritz, Dave Libby, and Robin Whitten, founder of the Pink Tulip Project.

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