Every day, many of our neighbors in the Greater Portland community are faced with tragedy.  It could be a car accident, an unexpected death of a loved one, or a traumatic event that shakes their world.  When events like those happen, the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) volunteers are there. TIP is a program run by Maine Behavioral Healthcare (formerly known as the Community Counseling Center), which develops and provides quality, outcome-based services that enhance the emotional strength and well-being of Maine residents throughout their lives. Find more about the Maine Behavioral Healthcare on their website, and if you can, try to make it to the Heroes with Heart celebration on Wednesday, April 9th, 2014, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, to celebrate the TIP volunteers, as well as first responders, police officers, firefighters, and hospital personnel, who go above and beyond in helping victims of traumatic events each and every day throughout the year. Reserve your spot or make an online donation here. Joe, who sees Mainers facing unbelievable hardships everyday, extends his heartfelt thanks and admiration to the heroes who help their fellow Portlanders everyday, and hopes the event is a great success.

Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photography here, and if you're a fan of his blog, be sure to vote for it as Portland's best blog.

When Joe drives to and from work, 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, April 3, MPBN is holding its Super Thursday One Day Pledge Drive. Find out more about MPBN and the fundraiser here, and remember: great local non-profits like MPBN rely on funding from Mainers like you, so lend them a hand if you can, and be sure to tune in for their great programming.

As a descendant of immigrants himself, Joe is proud each year to sponsor and promote the CeleSoirée, a celebration of immigration through the arts, held by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP). ILAP is a non-profit organization that helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status and works for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. Find more about this great organization here. If you're a fan of immigration and a good party, come to USM's Hannaford Hall on Friday, April 4, at 6PM. Joe wants to thank ILAP for all the great work they do, and hopes to see you there!

Photography by Chris Trafford. You can see more of his work here.

If you're a Portlander, you know how strong the sense of community in this town is. Joe appreciates the organizations that foster this community and empower our youth, including the folks at 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 4th, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine are hosting their 32nd Annual Spring for the Kids Auction at BGC's Portland Clubhouse on Cumberland Ave. Find more about the event here. 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.

Having been a personal injury attorney for almost 40 years, Joe has seen too many lives ruined by drinking and driving. To raise awareness about this important issue, each year Joe holds the Arrive Alive Creative Contest. Arrive Alive is open to graduating high school seniors throughout the state of Maine. Seniors may enter by submitting a creative project that sends a message to their peers about the dangers of drinking and driving and/or the dangers of distracted driving. Students may enter any kind of creative project that warns of the dangers of drinking and driving and/or distracted driving. Past entries have included essays, poems, paintings, public service announcements, videos, recorded songs, t-shirts, board games, drawings and more. First place winners receive a new laptop computer, second place winners receive a new iPad, and third place winners receive a new iPod. Everyone who enters the contest wins fun prizes from Joe.

If you know a graduating senior in Maine, be sure to direct them to the Arrive Alive website for more information. And remember, be safe and arrive alive.

This is one of those cryptic Time/Temp messages- "RWS ART? What is Joe talking about?" Well, Joe is happily spreading the word about Running With Scissors, a diverse artist studio collective in Portland's East Bayside Neighborhood. RWS is a dedicated work space that serves over 50 artists working in various mediums sharing equipment, space, community, ideas, support and tools. This community brings the resources and community together for artists to reach their independent creative goals. You can find out more about the folks at Running with Scissors by visiting their website. Joe loves to see all the creativity and ingenuity in his hometown, and encourages all Portlanders to support their local artists, including the Running with Scissors Studio.

As Portlanders well know, on the first Friday evening of every month downtown Congress Street turns into one big art gallery/party. Since Joe is a bit of a local artist himself (ask him sometime about his photography from the '60s and '70s, and be prepared to listen for a while), promoting First Friday seems like a no-brainer. Joe thanks all the local artists who make this night a great one every month, thanks the organizers, Creative Portland, and thanks the Portlanders who come out and celebrate. Walk on, Portland.

Photography by MECA student Joel Tsui. See more of Joel's photography here.