Joe is again spreading the word about The Epilepsy Foundation of New England and this year's annual fundraiser, The 2019 Freeport Walk for Epilepsy. The EFNE  provides help for today and hope for tomorrow for tens of thousands of people living with epilepsy. Tomorrow, September 28th,  EFNE invites you to join them for day of inspiration, hope, and fun in Freeport, as people walk to show support for people affected by epilepsy in our community.

EFNE’s Freeport walk brings together our epilepsy community to share in a day filled with purpose, while fostering connections. Children’s activities bring lots of smiles to our youngest walkers and include face painting, and music to sing and dance to. The Freeport epilepsy walk is a great way to enjoy the fall weather in New England, have fun with friends and family, enjoy lunch and show your support for people living with epilepsy.

Find more about the Freeport Walk here, and more about EFNE here.

                          Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Portlanders have seen this message before and are surely aware of this weekend's Casco Bay Uke Fest, a celebration of all things Ukulele. The Fifth Annual CascoBay Ukefest is happening tomorrow, Saturday September 21st, beginning at 9am, at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland. The day will feature plenty of workshops and performances for players of all skill levels. Joe thinks you should check it out!

Find more about UkeFest here.

Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Once again Joe is promoting an essential piece of Portland's thriving arts scene, the Portland Symphony Orchestra. The PSO, widely regarded as one of the top symphony orchestras of its size in the country. is proud to announce the inaugural concerts of the PSO under its new music director, Eckart Preu. 

The PSO has been inspiring audiences since it made its debut almost a century ago. Joe is sure that the inaugural concerns under Mr. Preu will be a smashing success. You can see these performances Sunday, September 22nd and Monday the 23rd. Learn more about these concerts here, and more about the PSO here.

Joe says rock on, PSO!

If you're a Portlander and you're not familiar by now with STRIVE University, allow Joe to help. The STRIVE program of PSL Services is designed to address the many issues faced by tweens, teens, and young adults (ages 11-24) with developmental disabilities. STRIVE focuses largely on academic success, career readiness, and literary and social skills.

Today is one of STRIVE's unique fundraising events featuring Kevin, a UPS employee who has developed a great partnership with STRIVE. One of Kevin's great volunteer efforts each year is to stay up on a roof until he reaches a certain fundraising goal for STRIVE. This year, Kevin will be atop Patriot Subaru in Saco, ME. He WILL NOT come down until he reaches $35,000! Joe hopes you consider chipping in to help STRIVE reach their fundraising goal and to "help Kevin" come down from the roof!

Find more about STRIVE here and more about Kevin's effort here.

Most Mainers are probably familiar with the United Way, but did you know just how much the United Way of Greater Portland does to serve our Southern Maine community? Joe was inspired when he visited this organization's website and learned just how tirelessly these folks work to guarantee a quality education for every child, financial stability for every family, and access to healthcare for all.

Today was the United Way of Greater Portland’s Annual Campaign with the United We CAN Food Drive + Sculpture Contest. Teams constructed sculptures in Monument Square from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wayside Food Programs will distribute collected food to pantries throughout Cumberland County.

Learn more about the United Way of Greater Portland at their website or their Facebook page.

                          Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

As far as messages on the Time & Temp, it doesn't get much more important than this. KPKID SAFE stands for Keep Kids Safe, which is an important part of the mission of Stop Trafficking US, an organization that to motivates people to stop the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Survivor and founder, Catherine Wilson, speaks to audiences across the country, sharing her story and raising awareness about the effects of childhood abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It is up to all of US to stop the cycle from continuing.

Like so many others, Joe believes too many Mainers have lost their lives to suicide. We regret the loss of each one. Joe wants to spread the word about one organization that's taking an active role in preventing these losses: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Established in 1987, the AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.

Tomorrow, September 7th, AFSP is hosting its Out of the Darkness Walk, which will raise awareness and funds that allow the AFSP to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Joe offers his thanks to this wonderful organization for the amazing work they do, and urges you to learn more about them here and more about the Walk here.

                           Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Here's a new message that you'll need this blog to decipher: Broken Bride is a production being put on this weekend by the St. Lawrence Arts Center. Located in Portland's East End, the St. Lawrence Arts Center is an affordable and accessible venue for diverse offerings of performance arts - theater, dance, music, film, workshops and more. This great organization adds activity, entertainment, cultural enrichment, social interaction, renovation and investment that serve both the surrounding neighborhood of Munjoy Hill as well as the residents of Greater Portland.

This weekend's production of Broken Bride, to be shown Friday and Sunday, is sure to be a special one.

Learn more about Broken Bride here and more about St. Lawrence Arts Center here.

                       Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.