This time of year always gets Joe in the holiday spirit, and he's a well-known sucker for putting seasonal messages on the Time & Temp sign. Today's spooky-themed event is the Ghoulwill Ball, hosted by Goodwill of Northern New England, an organization whose mission is to enable all people to achieve personal stability and community engagement.  On Saturday, October 24, join them for a spooktacular evening of bewitching company and ghoulish goodies. Hosted by Blake & Eva from the Coast 93.1 Morning Show, the Ghoulwill Ball is sure to be a delight to all of those who enjoy Halloween! The event will be filled with music, food and drink, and costume contests! Find more about the event here, and more about this important organization here.

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

Readers of this blog are by now familiar with Joe's appreciation of Portland's strong "buy local" ethic. He's promoted the Portland Buy Local organization several times, and is currently spreading the word about their 2015 Indie Biz Awards. This fun event is a celebration of Portland's vibrant independent businesses and community organizations. Last year's awards brought together more than 200 supporters, Portland Buy Local members, and their employees for live music, a lively auction and local food and brews. This year's event is being held Thursday, October 22nd, from 6-9pm at Port City Music Hall. Find more about the event here, and remember, regardless of whether or not it's up on the sign, Joe always says buy local!

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

Joe has a soft spot in his heart for local organizations that advocate for the disabled among us. The Iris Network is one such organization. Formed in 1905, the Iris Network is a Portland institution whose mission is to help people who are visually impaired or blind attain independence and community integration. This organization recognizes the diverse aspirations and abilities of people who are visually impaired or blind, and provides services based on respect for each individual's right to self-direction through informed choices. This Saturday, October 17th, is the Iris Network's 20th annual White Cane Walk for Independence, an an event organized to promote a better understanding of Maine's White Cane Law and to increase public awareness of safe independent travel for people who use white canes or guide dogs. By participating in the Walk, you help raise money for The Iris Network's programs. Find more about this important local organization here, and more about the event here. Joe appreciates the work done by the good people at the Iris Network and hopes that the White Cane is a success!

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

Joe is happy to once again promote the Boo Bash, a Halloween fundraiser to benefit Simple Gifts. Simple Gifts is an organization that provides financial support and encouragement to patients experiencing a medical crisis, as well as their families. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers. Joe respects and admires the work that Simple Gifts does, and is happy to spread the word about the Boo Bash, which will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 7-11 PM, in the function room at Bubba's Sulky Lounge at 92 Portland Street in Portland. Find more about the organization and the event here. Joe hopes the event goes boo-tifully!

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

Who wants to support local Portland artists? Joe sure does, which is why he's excited that the Maine College of Art (MECA) will again be holding its annual "Collect" fall art sale in support of MECA's scholarship fund and participating artists. Collect will be held this Thursday, October 8th, through Saturday, October 10th. This fundraiser features a unique, diverse and unexpected array of work in a variety of genres with a range of prices, sizes and media, including original jewelry, textiles, prints, furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, drawings, photography, textiles and more. Artwork will be rotated daily with fresh work on display each day. Find out more about the event here. Admission to the sale is free, so be sure to stop in and find the perfect gift, crafts, and fine arts by MECA students, alumni, faculty and staff. Who knows, you might even run into Joe!

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

Joe hopes your schedule is clear this Friday afternoon- if it is, you should consider attending a fun event for a great cause. This Friday, October 9th, 11am-1:30pm, the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Northern New England is hosting its first annual Maine Fashion Plates Fashion Show and luncheon at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. At this fashion show, the models are real women with real stories; models that reflect the talent, strength and beauty of remarkable Maine women living with multiple sclerosis. Fashion Plates will benefit the MS education, support, advocacy and research programs of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization whose vision is a world free of MS. For for those unaware, MS is a disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. More than two million people are affected by this disease, and Joe appreciates all that the MS Society does on their behalf. Find more about this event here, and Joe hopes it's a success!

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

Joe prefers a 2.62-mile walk to a 26.2-mile run, but nonetheless he appreciates the effort that goes into running a marathon. On October 5, 2014, 3,500 runners will be running the Maine Marathon, starting and finishing at Baxter Boulevard, between Forest Ave and Preble Street. Proceeds from this year's race will go to benefit the Robbie Foundation, an organization designed to bridge the gap for children with developmental disabilities by funding adaptive equipment, assistive technology and therapy treatment not covered by insurances. Also, several organizations participate each year to raise money for their causes, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, the Center for Grieving Children and the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Find more about the race here. Joe wishes good luck to all the runners and maybe he'll see you at the finish line!

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

Joe loves to see Portlanders unite for a common cause, which is why each year he spreads the word about the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's. The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel the mission-related initiatives of care, support and research. In addition, your actions, both through fundraising and participating in the event, help to change the level of Alzheimer's awareness in your community. The 2015 Greater Portland Walk to End Alzheimer's will be held on September 26, 2015 at Payson Park. For more information about this event, including how to register, go here. Joe hopes the event is a success and thanks you for your support!

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