Business, Free News Articles

Pratt Abbott Launches Earth Day Clothing Drive to Benefit Preble Street

WESTBROOK, Maine -- Pratt Abbott is hosting a clothing drive to benefit Preble Street and celebrate Earth Day from now through April 26. 2019. All 12 of Pratt Abbott's dry cleaning and laundromat locations are accepting clothing donations during this period.

"I always welcome the opportunity to give back to our community. It's part of our company values to lift up the vulnerable among us so we can grow stronger together," said David Machesney, president and owner of Pratt Abbott. "I'm a longtime admirer of Preble Street and the work they do to fight poverty and homelessness in Maine. To be able help them out and raise awareness about Earth Day at the same time is a great feeling."

Pratt Abbott has been a trailblazer for eco-friendly dry cleaning in Maine. Part of that effort includes using GreenEarth(r), the only non-toxic cleaning solution available to the dry cleaning industry. Other initiatives include recycling programs and investing in equipment to reduce water use, electricity consumption, and waste.

"Donating to a clothing drive is good for the environment, especially in the age of fast-fashion and disposable wardrobes," said Machesney. "A lot of energy goes into producing new clothes, and tons of wearable clothing ends up in landfills, rather than being put to good use."

For the clothing drive, all Pratt Abbott customers and the general public are invited to donate gently-used clothes to benefit Preble Street, including men's and women's clothes, shoes, and outerwear. Preble Street particularly needs jeans, sweatshirts, socks, new underwear, boots, and sneakers. Household items like towels, backpacks, and duffle bags are also needed.

All items collected by Pratt Abbott will be donated to Preble Street to stock their clothing closet that provides basic necessities for homeless adults and teenagers.

"We're grateful to our customers, friends, and neighbors for participating in this effort to ease the burden of poverty and homelessness in Maine," said Machesney.

To find your nearest Pratt Abbott location, please visit: https://prattabbott.com/.

About Pratt Abbott:

Pratt Abbott is the largest dry cleaning and laundry company in Maine, with 12 retail locations and route delivery in Greater Portland. Pratt Abbott is a full-service garment care provider, including eco-friendly dry cleaning, shirt service, wash-dry-fold, self-serve laundromats, alterations and repairs, wedding dress cleaning and preservation, and more. Pratt Abbott also provides top-quality uniform and linen rentals to area businesses.

About Preble Street:

Preble Street is an organization devoted to creating solutions to homelessness, hunger, and poverty in Maine with services including drop-in centers, soup kitchens, a food pantry, shelters, social work services, and supported housing. Learn more: https://www.preblestreet.org/.

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Defense and Military, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Government, NonProfit and Charities

Ground Breaking for Construction of the Maine Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

LEWISTON, Maine -- On Sunday, October 7, 2018, The Herschel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation will be breaking ground for construction of the Maine Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. This memorial is one of 87 across 34 states that will honor all our Gold Star Families.

In appreciation of their ultimate sacrifice to our great state and country, we gather on this day in a display of unity to honor them and to thank their families and friends while showing that we promise to NEVER FORGET. This promises to be a historic event with many dignitaries and very special guests attending

The day's events will begin at American Legion Post 31 with a breakfast with Woody starting at 7:30 a.m. The Groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park in Lewiston. Speakers will include Commander Jerry Dewitt, LTC Adria Horn, General Doug Farnham, Gold Star Mother Joyce Richmond, Gold Star Father Dean Barron as well as other State and City officials.

Mr. Williams celebrated his 95th birthday just the other day, but he will be here and lead many of Maine's Gold Star Family Members in a prayer. Mr. Williams will be escorted from the NH Gold Star Families Dedication to Maine by the Patriot Guard Riders and members of the Patriot Riders of America.

If you are a family member of a fallen military hero, or simply a patriot, we welcome you to come enjoy the day's festivities.

Information on the monument: http://hwwmohf.org/

Please visit http://www.mainefallenheroes.org/gold-star-families-memorial/ for more information or to donate.

The Maine Fallen Heroes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/uyI5c_2meTo

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Boating, Marine and Maritime, Entertainment, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Documentary on Plight of Ground Fishermen to be Screened in Maine Towns

KITTERY, Maine -- aine residents will have an opportunity soon to witness the devastating impacts of federal regulations on the lives of New England ground fishermen, as seen through the eyes of a documentary filmmaker with a long record of acclaimed work. David Wittkower's "Dead in the Water" will be shown at four Maine community theaters in April.

It will be shown at Kittery, Star Theater, Waterville's Railroad Square, Boothbay Harbor's The Harbor Theater and Belfast's The Colonial Theater. The 7 p.m. screenings will be followed by a question period and panel discussion featuring local, New England commercial fishermen and the film makers.

Dates and Times (Schedule):
* Kittery Community Center - 04/06/18 - 120 Rogers Road, Kittery, ME 03904.
* Railroad Square Theater - 04/08/18 - 17 Railroad Square, Waterville, ME 04901.
* Harbor Theater - 04/09/18 - 185 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
* The Colonial Theater - 04/10/18 - 163 High Street, Belfast, ME 04915.

* At each screening, a Q&A will follow immediately after the film, with the filmmaker and fishermen.

The film was shot in New England coastal towns. It features scenes and interviews with area fishermen, their spouses and other family members, advocates for fishermen, elected officials, and community activists.

"This film opens the doors for the world to see how difficult and dangerous the life of a fisherman is," said John Bell, a former mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts who advised Wittkower during the project. "On top of that, the impact of misguided federal regulations on fishermen has never been presented as powerfully as it is in 'Dead in the Water.' This film packs a real punch. It stays with you long after you've seen it."

On March 18, 2018, "Dead in the Water" received an award for Excellence in Cinematography for a Documentary at the Depth of Field International Film Festival competition. The film also features Grammy Award winning singer, Paula Cole.

Wittkower said he's hoping now that the film will show the audience what is really happening in this very complicated issue. "What we would like to see out of all this is to have people support commercial fishermen. I'd like to see people demand more fish is caught off of U.S. waters than to get it from Vietnam, Norway and New Zealand, and don't eat Tilapia."

Tickets to the April screenings are available by contacting the theaters or at their doors.

View the film trailer: https://youtu.be/RNGXvzBaamk

More information can be seen on the website: https://www.deadinthewater.info/.

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Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Regional Events, Travel and Tourism

Sixteenth Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON)

PORTLAND, Maine -- Hundreds of international flags again will sway in the breeze and the summer will HEAT UP on Saturday July 28, 2018 at the Deering Oaks Park; a feast for your eyes and ears will be displayed throughout the Sixteenth Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON). FON proudly celebrates and highlights Maine's great ethnic diversity, perpetuates traditions, encourage ethnic understanding, and promote unity in Maine. FON's theme this year is "FROM MANY DIFFERENT NATIONS, TO ONE MAINE."

The coordinators of the FON are thrilled to again welcome back our Chair, the singing sensation and Portland's own Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo). Michael O. will take the stage as the main event. This is a homecoming for Michael O. who is now a singer, songwriter and actor in Los Angeles.

In 2013, Michael released his first EP, "In the Beginning." Within 24 hours of its official release, "In the Beginning" was #3 on the iTunes Soul charts, #4 on the iTunes R&B charts. In the state of Maine, the CD was the #1 selling local CD at Bull Moose for the entire year of 2013. In 2015, Michael O. appeared in the major motion picture "Pitch Perfect 2," and is featured on the soundtrack (which recently won the AMA for best soundtrack). Many other performers will also be showcased at the festival.

The participants at Festival will enjoy the beautiful Deering Oaks Park while sampling the exotic delicious food from diverse vendors - featuring foods from all around the globe, dancing into the night to drumming and music from diverse musicians on stage. Some of these ethnic and diverse vendors from different nations including African American, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Caribbean, Congolese, French, Finnish, Greek, Hispanic Nations, Irish, East Indian, Italian, Native American, Nigerian, Polish, Romanian, Somalia, Sudanese, Thai, Uganda and Vietnamese. FON offer its guests great opportunity to get an early and unique start on holiday shopping.

The exciting parts of the festival are two stages of non-stop music and dance performances that will thrill our audience of 5,000. The beautiful Deering Oaks Park that is a perfect venue for this family-friendly event, that offers a wide variety of entertainment for adults and children and the expanded children's entertainment area for the little one's enjoyment that will include face painting, exciting games, crafts, train rides, come, and taste the fantastic spices favors of Maine's ethnic communities.

The festival is FREE to the public and family oriented.

Come and taste the fantastic spices and flavors of Maine's ethnic communities.

COME, EAT, SING, DANCE AND HAVE FUN!
When: Saturday, July 28, 2018; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine
Admission is FREE - Music, Dancing and Much Fun (food and gifts are extra).

Learn more about Greater Portland Festival of Nations at: https://www.facebook.com/greaterportlandfestivalofnations/

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Entertainment, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Mugadi Foundation, in association with Waynflete School, announce Michael O. (of NBC’s ‘The Sing Off’) Benefit Concert Event

WESTBROOK, Maine -- The Mugadi Foundation, in association with Waynflete School, is proud to announce a Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo) benefit concert event "ON MY OWN" to take place July 13, 2017 at the beautiful Westbrook Performing Arts Center in Westbrook, Maine.

The 6 p.m. concert will serve as a fundraiser for the Mugadi Foundation, with shared proceeds going to support a financial scholarship fund in Michael's name at Waynflete School, specifically in support of tuition for students from resettled refugee families.

The concert will also serve as a preview for Michael's new music, which is being released all throughout 2017. Tickets for the fundraising event are $25 and all of the proceeds will benefit the two programs.

Well known and respected Portland radio personality Lori Voornas from Q97.9 will emcee the event, which will also feature an opening set of music from popular local jazz/funk trio Micromasse.

EVENT TICKETS:
Tickets to this exciting performance will be available on Brown Paper Tickets for $25 beginning June 15, 2017 at: http://michaelo.brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006

About The Mugadi Foundation:

The mission of The Mugadi Foundation is to help children and young adults around the world, particularly in the Global South. The Mugadi Foundation was founded by Michael Odokara-Okigbo when he was 14. Mugadi (which means "I will live" in the Igbo language) is a 501(c)(3) organization created in 2004 to help pay for the school fees granted to orphanages located in Lagos, Nigeria. The foundation was established due to a trip he made with his mother to an HIV/AIDS orphanage in November, 2004.

Odokara-Okigbo was shocked with how much trouble they had finding for education, but most interestingly to him, he was surprised to see how similar these children were to him. When he returned, he decided to make a difference in those children's lives, he created a photo exhibition of fourteen stories, and showed it in hospitals, schools and museums. It was a huge success, and prompted him to create the Mugadi Foundation.

Learn more at: http://themugadifoundation.org/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMugadiFoundation/.

About Waynflete School:

Waynflete is an independent, co-educational day school in Portland, Maine, serving students from preschool through grade 12. The Waynflete mission is to engage the imagination and intellect of our students, to guide them toward self-governance and self-knowledge, and to encourage their responsible and caring participation in the world.

The school aims to provide a program that combines security with challenge, playful exploration with rigorous expectation and range of experience with depth of inquiry. Waynflete believes diversity is a condition of excellence and several years ago made a commitment to enroll as many students from Portland's resettled refugee community as possible. Michael joined the Waynflete community in 2002 and graduated in 2008.

About Michael O:

Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo) is a singer, songwriter, performer and producer who harnesses his personal and cultural influences to create a powerful sound all his own. Born in 1990 and raised in Portland, Maine, Michael's upbringing fused with his international exposures, as an American, African American, and African culture to create the multi-faceted artist he is today.

In 2008, Michael was accepted to Dartmouth College, where he double majored in Global Health and History. He led The Dartmouth Aires to a second place finish on NBC's "The Sing Off." With over 6.5 million viewers weekly, Michael wowed audiences and was even dubbed "incredible" and "timeless" by Ben Folds of Ben Folds Five, and "a freaking superstar" by Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman. After graduation, Michael moved to Los Angeles and released his first EP, "In the Beginning," in 2013. Within 24 hours of its official release, "In the Beginning" jumped to the top 5 on the iTunes R&B charts, and was the best-selling EP in Northern New England for 2013.

In 2015, Michael O. appeared in the major motion picture, "Pitch Perfect 2," as the lead singer of the singing group in the film, The Singboks, soloing on the song "Anyway You Want It" that was featured on the soundtrack, which won an American Music Award for best soundtrack. Both the film and soundtrack were #1 in May of 2015. Michael has performed all over the world, including appearances at Merrill Auditorium, The Lincoln Center, and in 2014, at the White House singing for President Obama. Michael O. is an international performing and singing star. A power house performer in his right, Michael O. aims to expand his reach, both in content and in form, creating a unique entertainment experience that brings people together through the power of his music and entertainment. Michael's canvas is a stage, and he aims to paint the image that, "as people, we are more alike than we are different."

Beginning in May 2017, Michael will be releasing new singles from his CD "ON MY OWN" and performing nationwide and in international locales.

Learn more about Michael O at: http://www.themichaelo.com/

And on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/michaelomusic

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