One of Joe's favorite things about operating the Time & Temp Building is that he's always learning new things, whether it's about an unfamiliar organization or a medical condition he's never heard of. Today's message is both. CMT stands for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. CMT affects about 2.8 million people worldwide, of all races and ethnic groups. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is an organization whose mission is to support the development of new drugs to treat CMT, to improve the quality of life for people with CMT, and, ultimately, to find a cure. On September 13th 2015, the CMT Association will be holding the 3rd annual Peaks Island Walk for CMT at the Inn on Peaks! Joe is sure this will be an inspiring event and hopes you consider attending. Find more about the event here and more about the organization here.

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

Joe thinks it's a pretty safe bet that you couldn't figure this one out on your own. This message is a tricky one, so it's a good thing you're a reader of the blog! T3 stands for Teens to Trails, an organization that will be hosting its 2nd Annual Bow Ties & Bean Boots Gala. Teens To Trails is a local organization dedicated to increasing the opportunities for teens to experience the out-of-doors through a variety of programs that promote and support high school Outing Clubs. Their vision is that with active and sustainable Outing Clubs or outdoor adventure programs offered in every high school, ALL teens will have access to the outdoors and their lives will be enriched in body and spirit. The gala will be held this Friday, August 28, at the Portland Company. Find more information about the event here, and about the organization here.

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

This is one of those cryptic Time & Temp messages-- good thing you know to turn to www.PortlandTimeTemp.com! This weekend Joe is spreading the word about the 90th Annual St. Peter's Italian Bazaar. Hosted by the St. Peter's Parish in Portland, the bazaar celebrates the Feast of the Assumption and the Feast of Saint Rocco. The festival includes a road race, delicious food, and more! Find more about the event here, and Joe hopes it's a great success!

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

It's no secret by now that Joe is an animal person, 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. On August 13th, 14th, and 15th, H.A.R.T. is holding its Giant Yard & Bake Sale. Held at the Cumberland Fair Grounds, this event will feature delicious homemade baked goods as well as plenty of things you may want to buy. Find more about this event at H.A.R.T.'s official website. Joe hopes the event is 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.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community but felt like you needed help? Joe knows how much being part of a group can empower an individual, and that's why he's proud to promote the Southern Maine chapter of 100 Women Who Care. 100 Women Who Care Southern Maine is a group of local women who are interested in supporting our communities by contributing to Southern Maine charities together as a group to increase the impact. The organization's mission is to reach out and help the community by finding 100 or more women (the count is currently over 150!) to each contribute $50 four times a year in order to give $20,000+ annually to local charities. All charities and organizations up for consideration must be in the Southern Maine area. The idea is to keep it local and have an impact that can be seen in our communities!

100 Women's next meeting is this Thursday, August 13, at the Woodfords Club, 179 Woodfords St, Portland, ME from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Registration begins at 5:45, with time for networking, appetizers and a glass of wine before the meeting. Come find out what a great group of generous and thoughtful women can do when they put their minds to it!

Find out more about this local organization here, and please consider joining the movement!

Photography by Gabriel Reuben. See more of his work here.

When Joe is on the road, he tunes to 90.1 FM, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (the station number is different depending on your region- find your local station here). Every day, MPBN connects the people of Maine to each other and to the world through the open exchange of information, ideas and cultural content. On Thursday, August 6th, MPBN is holding its Super Thursday One Day Pledge Drive. Find out more about MPBN and the fundraiser here, and remember: important local non-profits like MPBN rely on funding from Mainers like you, so please lend them a hand if you can, and be sure to tune in for their great programming.

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

As a big fan of the vibrant art culture in his hometown, Joe was saddened to hear the recent news that the Salt Institute would be closing. For those unaware, the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies is a Maine school that has nurtured documentary storytelling for more than 40 years. Over 1,000 writers, photographers and radio and multimedia storytellers have attended the Salt Institute since it first opened. Unfortunately, recent financial challenges have left the school in an unsustainable position, but a group of alumni and community members calling themselves Save Salt refuse to let this beloved organization go down without a fight. This group has proposed a plan to Salt's board of directors that could possibly save the school. Joe hopes this band of passionate artists is successful in their efforts, and is happy to spread the word to the city. He urges Portlanders to find more about Salt here, and more about the Save Salt effort here.

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

Like so many other people, Joe's life has been touched by cancer. As heartbreaking as the disease can be, few things inspire Joe more than survivors and their resilience. Each year, over a thousand women (many of them survivors) gather in South Portland to swim, bike & run as they Tri for a Cure in Maine's only all-women's triathlon. The Tri for a Cure, held by the Maine Cancer Foundation, has become the largest triathlon in the state, providing a unique opportunity for women to engage in the fight against cancer here in Maine. The triathletes share a unique bond; some are cancer survivors, others are racing in support of their loved ones, but all of them share the desire to create a cancer-free Maine, a desire that Joe shares. This year's event is this Sunday, July 26th, in South Portland. Find more about the Tri at the official website. Joe wishes good luck to the competitors (especially Lojo and Joe's sister Deb!) and to everyone who has ever suffered from this terrible disease, and he hopes that all female readers of this blog consider participating next year (or at least coming to watch and cheer!)

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