Batter up, Portland! Springtime is here, and you know what that means: freshly-cut grass, broken-in leather mitts, and nice cold Sea Dog biscuits. Yesterday, Thursday, April 6th was the scheduled home opener for Joe's favorite baseball team, the Portland Sea Dogs, as they begin their 20th season. Due to the soupy conditions, it's been postponed. If you're local, be sure to check out the AA affiliate of the Red Sox this season at their home at Hadlock Field.  Find more about the Sea Dogs on their website, and see you at Hadlock!

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

Joe believes that the ability to write is an essential skill that all children should eventually learn and one that has served him well over the years. Effectively communicating is so important in so many walks of life, and that's why Joe is a supporter of The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing center in Portland dedicated to the idea that children and young adults are natural storytellers. This organization's fun, innovative programs enlist the support of local writers, artists, teachers, and community groups. At its downtown writing center it offers free afterschool workshops and writing help, and host field trips for school groups from all over Maine.

This Thursday, April 6th, the Telling Room is hosting its annual Glitterati: A Sparkling Literary Ball. Held at the Eastland hotel, this night of revelry will include a live and silent auction as well as sumptuous food and drink to help support our free writing programs for Maine youth.

Learn more about the Telling Room here, and Joe hopes the event is a blast!

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

This cryptic message is in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, whose mission is to inspire and enable all young people, particularly those who need it most, to realize their full potential as responsible, productive and caring citizens. On Friday April 7th, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine are hosting their 35th Annual Spring for the Kids Auction at BGC's Portland Clubhouse on Cumberland Ave.  The theme this year is the "totally rad" 80's (hence TTLY RAD). Your support helps children and teens reach their full potential as individuals, students and citizens. The Clubs thank you for your support, and Joe thanks the Clubs for their important work.

Find more about the event here, and more about this organization here.

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

Joe's mission as an attorney is to provide all Mainers with access to justice-- above his desk hangs a sign with the words "Justice justice shalt thou pursue". Justice for all Mainers means equal rights for all Mainers, which is why Joe is proud to promote EqualityMaine's Annual Gala, which is Saturday, April 1st, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. EqualityMaine works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration. Hosted by Blake and Eva from Coast 93.1, this year's annual gala will feature dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Find more about this great organization at its official website. Joe hopes the event is a success and fully supports EqualityMaine's vision of the day when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of Maine people and in all areas of the law.

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

This was a tough one to decipher, even for Joe himself. Turns out, it's our old friends over at the Barbara Bush Family Literacy Foundation, who are hosting their ninth annual Open Minds Through Literacy Conference on March 31 at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. The mission of the Barbara Bush Foundation is to advocate for and establish literacy as a value in every home. They believe literacy is a right that provides equal opportunity to achieving the American dream, which every child deserves. The OMTL conference features workshops on the subject of child literacy and development as well as education. Be sure to check out more about the event here. Joe hopes it's a great success!

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

In his work as a personal injury attorney, Joe has seen thousands of injured victims who come to him for help. While his clients are victims of accidents, Joe knows there are other kinds of victim who don't always have the same legal recourse, which is why Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) is such an important resource. SARSSM began advocating for victims of sexual assault more than 40 years ago. Today, numerous professionally trained male and female Crisis & Support Line advocates answer calls 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. Advocates respond to calls from victim/survivors, family members, friends, significant others, and professionals working with those impacted by sexual violence. Volunteer advocates provide information, referrals, advocacy, and support to individuals reporting incidents of sexual assault. SARSSM continues to emphasize education and community involvement to end sexual violence. On Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 1-4 PM at the  South Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, SARSSM will be hosting the Annual Chocolate Lovers' Fling. This special gala event, featuring table service, multiple courses of chocolate tasting, and a silent auction is the largest annual fundraiser for Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine.

Talented local chocolatiers, from York and Cumberland counties, will showcase their creativity and serve their ultimate chocolate confections. Chocolatiers compete for awards, including the prized People's Choice award. All attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the judging process, and will receive expert guidance in chocolate appreciation. Attendees can also look forward to meeting the chocolatiers and placing bids in a silent auction featuring jewelry, art, getaways, and of course, chocolate.

Find more about the organization here, and about the event here. Joe hopes the event is a success but that you don't eat too much chocolate!

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

Joe is always happy to promote local educational institutions. That's especially true when it's a school that has given so much to his family. Waynflete is a K-12 school whose mission is to engage the imagination and intellect of its students, to guide them toward self-governance and self-knowledge, and to encourage their responsible and caring participation in the world. Waynflete's aim is to provide a program that combines security with challenge, playful exploration with rigorous expectation and range of experience with depth of inquiry. Joe wanted to help spread the word that tomorrow is Waynflete's "One Day" fundraiser, when the a 24-hour period when the entire Waynflete community comes together to support the Waynflete Fund. Joe hopes it's a great success, and offers his thanks to the folks at Waynflete for the countless memories and lessons they imparted on his children.

Learn more about Waynflete here.

PS thanks to Erin for the photos!

It's no secret by now that Joe is an animal lover, which is why this weekend he's promoting H.A.R.T.- The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine. Located in Cumberland, H.A.R.T. is an all-volunteer organization that provides a safe refuge to hundreds of homeless cats each year. This great organization relies on the support of individual donors to help rescue and provide shelter for these innocent animals. H.A.R.T. is holding its Meow Madness Online Auction from March 17-31, and its Spring Fling community event on April 8, 11am-5pm at The Woodfords Club in Portland.

Find more about these event at H.A.R.T.'s official website. Joe hopes the events are a success and thanks H.A.R.T. for their tireless work on behalf of our feline friends!

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