As another Veteran's day comes and goes, Joe is thankful for the sacrifices made by those who wear an American uniform and defend our country, and saddened by the challenges they often face when they come home. They deserve to be treated like the courageous heroes that they are. Thanks to everyone who has served and who plans on doing so in the future. Happy Veteran's Day.

Before becoming a lawyer Joe was an electrical engineer, so he's especially interested in Portland Uncorked!, the third annual silent auction and beer and wine tasting hosted by Engineers Without Borders (EWB). EWB is an organization that partners with developing communities in over 45 countries across the world. EWB Portland Maine was established in early 2010 in order to support the University of Maine student chapter and engage Maine professionals in the works and vision of EWB-USA.  EWB is dedicated to providing Maine's engineers, health professionals, teachers and students with the opportunity to contribute to building a better world. The organization is active in the Greater Portland community (through partnership with the Portland Middle School STEM program) to introduce middle-school students to engineering concepts. EWB also assists Portland Adult Education in helping immigrant and refugee engineers determine any training and/or certification requirements that might be necessary in order to obtain engineering-related jobs. Find out more about EWB Portland at its official website, and more about Portland Uncorked! here. Joe hopes the event is a success!

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community but felt like you needed help? Joe knows that 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 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 we can see in our communities!

This local organization's first meeting is Thursday, November 13, 2014. Feel free to join them 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. Joe hopes that if you're a woman who cares about your community then you consider being a part of this exciting new organization. Find more about 100 Women here. 

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

One of Joe's many favorite things about being an American is the right to have your voice heard on Election Day. With so many people around the world living under oppression, Joe thinks it's pretty darn cool that we get to choose who leads our country. We have a lot to be grateful for here in the USA. Whether you're politically to the left, right, or in the middle, please be sure to go to your local polling place today and exercise one of your most important rights. Visit this website to find your polling place. Rock the vote, Portland.

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

This weekend on the Time & Temperature Building, Joe adds a "Y" to his name in honor of Joey O'Donnell, a courageous fighter and victim of cystic fibrosis. Today, Joey lives on through the Joey Fund, an independent fund that works in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has raised over $56 million to advance the Foundation's quest: to cure cystic fibrosis and improve the quality of life for those with the disease.

Together, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Joey Fund supply financial support for both patients and research. Working as a team they have created a future for children with cystic fibrosis, and are working even harder to achieve the ultimate goal - a cure for cystic fibrosis and to make this terrible disease a thing of the past. If you're able to, please lend a hand to this noble cause at the Joey Fund website.

This Sunday, November 2nd, The Joey Fund will host its 30th annual film premiere fundraiser at the Natick Mall in Natick, Massachusetts. Joe is sure the event will be a great success, as it always is, and gives his thanks to the O'Donnell family for working so hard to add tomorrows.

Joe's a sucker for local sports teams, and the more local, the better. You can't get much more local than the Portland Pirates, who are back in Portland after a season in Lewiston and who are in the middle of another exciting season of professional hockey. Check them out at their website, and try to catch a game if you can!

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

Who knew that it's national Co-op month? Joe did, which is why he's taking this opportunity to spread the word once again about the Portland Food Co-op, which is hoping to reach it's 2000th member-owner and open soon! Joe is very excited about what is sure to be a great addition to the Portland food scene, and thinks you should check out this organization at their website. Eat up, Portland!

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

Who wants to support local artists? Joe sure does, which is why he's excited that the Maine College of Art (MECA) will be holding its second annual art sale in support of MECA's scholarship fund and participating artists.  Collect:  MECA's Fall Art Sale 2014 is a three-day salon-style extravaganza of art and is a great opportunity to discover emerging artists, view new work by established artists, and build or add to an art collection. Collect:  MECA's Art Sale 2014 features over 200 participating artists. Collect is a chance to discover emerging artists, view new work by established artists, and build your own collection while supporting MECA's scholarship fund and participating artists. 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 work here and here.