Eliza MacLoed, 6, and Emily Patashnik, age 7, decided they wanted to have a talent show to raise money for kids with cancer.  On Saturday, June 14, oblivious to what adults may have thought would be an impossible task in our so-called “recession,” they organized and presented a one-hour talent show to 40 neighbors, family and friends.  The result? $236 raised for the Maine Medical Center’s Children’s  Cancer Program!

Once again, Prime Motor Group has broken all the records with its “just-in” sales recap for May! Owner Ira Rosenberg reports that his Prime stores sold 680 vehicles during May! 680 during a time when all we hear is bad news about the auto industry. And his Ford store was right up there with strong, strong sales. Recession? Apparently not when it’s Prime Time!

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England announced today that is has received an initial grant of $686,864 of a $1.1 Million three award from the Department of Labor (DOL) to manage the YouthBuild program in Lewiston, Maine.  Goodwill will recruit 70 at-risk, low-income youth ages 18-24 in the Lewiston-Auburn area to participate in the two-year program.

YouthBuild is a national program that assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry.  In addition to leadership training, the youth also participate in community service by renovating affordable housing in their communities.

In spite of the slow economy, Oakhurst Dairy announced that they are donating more than $17,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine as a result of their recent promotion.  During the month of March, Oakhurst Dairy committed to donating $.10 from every Oakhurst Orange Juice container sold to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. The promotion coincided with the Boys & Girls Clubs Centennial Celebration

President, Stan Bennett said, “Giving back to our community has always been a top priority for Oakhurst Dairy.”

From the opening of the first store on Exchange St. in Portland, Mexicali Blues reports that it has seen a steady growth in their four store locations (Portland, Newcastle, Raymond and Freeport) and a thriving ecommerce website www.mexicaliblues.com.

Channeling his inner hippie, Hillman is bringing back the essence of the 60s with a contemporary twist. “Flower power has morphed into green power, and my goal with this line is to remind people to tread gently, with each other and the planet.”

To see the first T-shirt design, please visit Thomas’s website at this link:
http://www.thomashillman.com/tshirts_peacelove.php

The Boulos Company has released yet another list of businesses in the Greater Portland area that have said “bah, humbug” to the slow economy and are moving ahead.

• Eyes on Rosemont, LLC has leased 2,180± sq. ft. of office space at 595 Brighton Avenue, Portland, Maine from KAL, LLC. The tenant will use this space as an optometrist office.
• The Sunrise Guide, LLC has leased 600± sq. ft. of office space at 640 Brighton Avenue, Portland.
• Lafayette Hotels has purchased the 239-room Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland from Harper Hotels.
  Critical Care Systems, Inc has renewed their lease for 4,421± sq. ft. of office space at 10 Donald B Dean Drive, South Portland.
• Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has expanded into a 2,084± sq. ft. office suite at the Bayside Complex on 175 Lancaster Street, Portland.  Their total occupancy at the center has now been increased to 10,779± sq. ft.
• Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has renewed its lease for 6,652± sq. ft. of retail space at 890 Main Street, Sanford.
• Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has renewed its lease for 10,400± sq. ft. of   retail space at 1104 Forest Avenue, Portland,
• The Vacuum Cleaner Shop has leased 3,300± sq. ft. of retail space on 50-60 Western Avenue, Augusta.
• C-LINK, LLC has leased 4,129± sq. ft. of office space at 2 City Center, Portland.

Four new restaurants are either now open or about to open here in Portland, showing once again the indomitable spirit that drives our economy.

• Grace–located in the Chestnut St Church next to City Hall
• The Corner Room–in the former Salt space on Exchange and Federal St.
• The Salt Exchange–245 Commercial
• El Rayo–York St

The Key West Chamber of Commerce has announced that Key West is still intact at the end of
US Rt. 1 in the Florida Keys.  This in spite of the fact that the 09 Hurricane Season is now in full swing as of June 1.
Now THAT is very good news!