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!

Co-chairs, Kim Laramy and Thomas Hillman reported that 85+ volunteers
met with 28 non profit organizations for the Heart of Sharing project last Thursday.
Definitely a very busy and productive day of giving back to our community.

Artists Mike Marks, Anna Russo and Elizabeth Marks, are excited to be opening a new art gallery at 613 Congress Street. Oil painting, ceramic wall hanging and metalsmith creations will all be offered in this new location.
Please join them in support for their Grand Opening on June 5th during the First Friday Art Walk.

The Portland Harbor Museum opens its doors to the public for the first time this year at 5PM, Wednesday, May 20.  This year’s new exhibits include stunning photography by famed photographers, Nance Trueworthy and Dean Abramson as well as five other new exhibits.  The museum is now located at 510 Congress St., next to the CVS Pharmacy.

The Gilbane Building Company’s Portland office fielded a strong team of 18
walkers from their Portland office in support of the Southern Maine Heart
Walk, held May 17 at Payson Park. In addition to fielding the team of
walkers, the company donated $10,000 to the benefit!

Kevin Debasitis, Senior Business Development Manager with Gilbane said,
“Events like this remind us of why it’s so enjoyable to live and work in southern
Maine, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”