Monday, August 24, 2015

“Fiddling Thomsons”/Ice Cream Social At Final Downtown Lunchtime Concert , Central Square Rochester, August 28

(Photo Courtesy of Rochester Main St and The Fiddling Thompsons)

Local fiddler extraordinaire Ryan Thomson and his son Brennish will appear to close out the 2015 downtown lunchtime concerts as “The Fiddling Thomsons” on Friday, August 28 in Central Square in downtown Rochester.. Sponsored by by Citizens Bank and a grant from the NH State Council On The Arts/National Endowment For The Arts, the Factory Court Brown Bag concerts are held on Fridays from 11:45 am until 1:30 pm. Concert goers are asked to “bring a chair and buy or bring a lunch” to enjoy a musical performance in the heart of downtown Rochester. As a special addition, this years final concert will take place in the refurbished Central Square at the foot of the statue of Parson Main

Ryan and Brennish, are a father and son duo performing lively tunes on many different instruments. They are available for performances and educational workshops. On You Tube
search for - "Fiddling Thomsons." Winners - Twin Fiddle award, Lowell National Historic Park!, Together, they play twin fiddles, wooden spoons, Zydeco rub-board, jaw harp, Cajun box drum, rhythm bones, mandolin, banjo, accordion, flute, foot percussion, piano, Cajun triangle, pennywhistle, and other folk instruments.

The lunchtime Brown Bag Concerts are held weekly through August 28 so this is our final concert for 2015. As this is the final concert , we are closing with an Old Fashion Ice cream Social from 11:15-11:45 am for a donation of $3.00 In case of inclement weather the concerts are cancelled.

Free parking nearby is available at the North Main , Union, and Congress Street Parking lots. For more information please contact the Rochester Main Street office by calling 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org.

The Rochester Main Street volunteers would like to thank our sponsor Citizens Bank and the NH State Council On The Arts/National Endowment For The Arts, along with all of our performers who helped to make this a great summer season. Special thanks also to Revolution Taproom & Grill for allowing patrons to use the rest facilities and our volunteer chair, Sue Roy for a great job in coordinating this year’s entertainment.

Town Re-Bids Sanding and Painting of Exterior of Town Office. Bids are due to the Town Office by September 4th, 2015

Town of Lebanon

15 Upper Guinea Rd. (207) 457-6082

Lebanon, ME 04027 (207) 457-6067fax

Town of Lebanon Sanding and Painting RFB

1. Objective and Purpose
The exterior of the Town Hall located in the Town of Lebanon at 15 Upper Guinea Rd., is in need of sanding and painting. As a result, the Town is bidding out for this service.

2. Key Dates
Bids must be submitted no later than September 4, 2015 by 5:00pm
Bids will be opened on September 10, 2015 at 5:00pm
Selectmen will award the bid on September 10, 2015

3. Service and Work Requirements

I. Expectations:
The winning bidder will be expected to maintain a clean work area during office hours. They will also be expected to tape-off the required areas, as directed by the Select Board, before painting.

II. Pricing:
Please submit a block rate for services including any additional charges that may apply. The work quoted in this bid is expected to be carried out immediately and completed no later than October 31, 2015.

The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lebanon

reserves the right to reject and/or accept any and all bids.

III. Submission Guidelines:
All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “Sanding and Painting RFB”.

Please send all bids to the address listed below.

Town of Lebanon

Information Technology Bid

15 Upper Guinea Rd.

Lebanon, ME 04027

Saturday, August 22, 2015

YAY LEBANON!! You have ALMOST Enough Money to Replace Your Fire and EMS Station Flagpole!!!

Lebanon Maine Blaisdell Corner Fire and EMS

Flagpole Replacement Committee

DRUM ROLL!!!

So........here's where the donation total's stood on Thursday, 8/20/15, after donations from Ed & Teresa Brooks, Ed Baker, Deborah Dorey Wilson, Sandy Adams, Susan Adams and Lynn Parks, Tammy Thompson, Dana Coull in memory of his wife Patricia, Rose Woods and Cash Donations at the Lebanon Fire Department, Inc Yardsale.........

Thursday's total.....$258.31

Thursday evening Corinna Cole graciously added a $20 bill..........total now was $278.31

Chris Gilpatrick and Gilpatrick Property Services surprised us at the Lebanon Festival with a VERY generous $150.00 donation!!

Our Total for the morning....$428.31!!

More than halfway there!!!

We had such a GREAT day at the Festival!! We've finally gotten to meet so many of you!! It's nice to finally put a face with some of the internet names!!

Jay and Irene Wagner gave a $25 donation in memory of Al Noyes.

Cheyenne Wagner added $25 in memory of Bill White.

Wildlife Encounters, Jennifer, donated $5.

And individual donations from the Lebanon Festival of $64.94

Brought our total to:

$548.25

At the end of the day, the Lebanon Festival Committee held their 50/50 Raffle, the winner received $71.50.......and the Festival Committee surprised us by donating THEIR half of the raffle, $71.50 to our Blaisdell Corner Flagpole Replacement efforts!!!

Total for the Day at the Lebanon Festival............ $341.44

NEW GRAND TOTAL

For the

LEBANON BLAISDELL CORNER

FIRE AND EMS STATION FLAGPOLE

$619.75!!!

Total needed to replace the flagpole............. $841.31

BALANCE NEEDED............. $221.56

YAY LEBANON!!

ALMOST THERE!!

PHOTOS from a DAY at the LEBANON FESTIVAL. August 22, 2015

Usually when I attend an event, I take so many photos that people are bored from looking at them all. This was not the case on August 22, as I attended the Lebanon Festival.

There was so much happening that I couldn't possibly take it all in!!

There was music, games, food, and vendors of all types!!

I was so busy speaking to people and collecting donations for the replacement of the flag pole at the Lebanon Fire and EMS Blaisdell Corner Station, that I don't even know who won the raffles!!!

I did manage to sneak in a few photos while walking around the Festival lot.

I'm sorry I didn't get more, but what I did manage, I hope you enjoy!!

Lebanon Cub Scouts Color Honor Guard.

Strawberry Banke Cooper

Maine State Trooper Adam Schmidt and his K9 Belgian Malinois

Men in Uniform, Now and Then

Maine State Trooper Adam Schmidt,

Maine Fire and EMS Chief Daniel Meehan in Civil War Uniform

Jennifer from Wildlife Encounters wowed young and old alike.

Everyone was delighted with the show stealing Umbrella Cockatoo, "Big Bird",

from Wildlife Encounters.

South American Porcupine "Thorn" with Wildlife Encounters handler, Rick.

Brian Saulnier, The Musical Medic, did not disappoint!! Fantastic music and LOTS of my personal favorites!! Brian ROCKS!! Limerick, Maine local out there doing his thing!!

We were thrilled to meet "Guster", who attended the Lebanon Festival with his family.

"Guster" was adopted from Alpha Dog Rescue in Lebanon.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Southern Maine Community College, Portsmouth, Announces the Maine Seaweed Festival and Full Moon Fishery Feast!!

Welcome to the Maine Seaweed Festival!

The Maine Seaweed Festival

will be held at the beautiful waterfront campus of Southern Maine Community College
Saturday, August 29, 2015.

The Festival is a FREE event and runs from 10 am to 5 pm,

followed by our ticketed dinner,

The Full Moon Fishery Feast.

Maine seaweeds are beginning to play a major role in the growth and sustainability of our local economy and global health. The Maine Seaweed Festival aims to highlight the diverse uses and beneﬁts of seaweed, while celebrating all of the dedicated harvesters, farmers, ﬁshermen and processors who continue to invest their efforts in creating a viable and vibrant seaweed industry here in Maine.
Seaweed Fest will feature local artists, entertainment, and vendors who are using Maine seaweeds in their craft. The day will include educational speakers, many activities for children of all ages, live music and food trucks.
Ride the wave of our ﬁsheries’ future, while honoring our past. Come be inspired to make seaweed a daily addition to your healthy lifestyle and support this natural resource's revival!

Full Moon Fishery Feast

Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 6 pm on the Ocean at SMCC.

An edible education of what’s on your plate and in our state. Experience the way Maine Fisheries should be--sustainable, innovative and inspiring!

Please note that the dinner is a 21+ event.

To Purchase Tickets in Advance for The Full Moon Fishery Feast

CLICK HERE

https://www.tickettailor.com/all-tickets/10501/be2f/

Maine Department of Labor Releases Some Promising Numbers on Unemployment Rates.

Maine Unemployment Rate 4.6 Percent in July

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released July workforce estimates for Maine.

Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data

Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.6 percent for July was little changed from 4.7 percent in June and down from 5.7 percent one year ago. The number of unemployed declined 7,500 over the year to 32,000.

The employment to population ratio estimate of 60.4 percent remained above the U.S. average (59.3 percent) for the 94th consecutive month.

The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.3 percent was unchanged from June and down from 6.2 percent one year ago. The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.7 percent. Rates for other states were 3.7 percent in New Hampshire, 3.6 percent in Vermont, 4.7 percent in Massachusetts, 5.8 percent in Rhode Island, and 5.4 percent in Connecticut.

Labor force and unemployment data is available here.

Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate for June of 609,700 was up 4,400 from one year ago. The estimate for private sector jobs was up 4,800 and government was down 400. The largest job gains were in the professional and business services, finance, and healthcare sectors.

Nonfarm payroll jobs data is available here.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data

The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate estimate of 4.0 percent in July was down from 5.3 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates were down in all 16 counties, with the largest declines in Washington (-2.0 points) and Franklin (-1.9 points) counties. Rates ranged from 3.2 percent in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties to 6.0 percent in Somerset County.

Among metro areas the unemployment rate was below the statewide average in Portland-South Portland (3.2 percent) and Lewiston-Auburn (3.9 percent) and close to the statewide average in Bangor (4.1 percent).

This release is available here.

August workforce estimates will be released Friday, September 18 (Data Release Schedule).

NOTES:

1. Preliminary labor force estimates, including unemployment and employment to population ratios for Maine, tend to move in a direction for several months and then reverse course. Those directional trends are largely driven by a smoothing procedure and may not indicate a change in underlying workforce conditions. Annual revisions (to be published in March 2016) will moderate or eliminate those directional patterns.

2. Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates tend to be volatile from month to month because there is variability in the sample of reporting employers and their representativeness for the universe of all employers. Additionally, seasonal adjustment is imperfect because weather, the beginning and ending of school semesters and holidays, and other events do not always occur with the same timing, which can exacerbate monthly volatility. Users should look to the trend over multiple months rather than the change from one specific month to another. Estimates for the period from October 2014 to September 2015 will be replaced with actual payroll data in March 2016. Those benchmark revisions are likely to show less volatility than preliminary estimates.