Business news

Small Business Tax Seminar

BANGOR – A Small Business Tax Seminar will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 307 Maine Ave.

The session is designed for small business or self-employed taxpayers. It will provide navigation tips and usage guidelines to make www.IRS.gov the small business owner’s best resource.

A Web site will be utilized to answer many tax questions, including electronic filing and payment options, educational products, business income and expenses; starting, operating and closing a business and much more. Shawn S. Savage of the Internal Revenue Service will be the presenter. The cost of the seminar is $5.

To register, call 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485 and ask for a registration form. Seating is limited and early registration is suggested. The seminar is sponsored by Penobscot County Cooperative Extension.

Real estate and development awards

The Maine Real Estate and Development Association, a commercial real estate organization, presented four awards at its recent annual Real Estate Forecast Conference.

. MEREDA’s 2007 Robert B. Patterson Jr. Founders’ Award was given to Carol Epstein of Epstein Commercial Real Estate in Bangor. This is a career recognition award given to a member who has contributed on a significant level over many years to the industry or to MEREDA. Epstein is a longtime supporter of MEREDA and past board member.

. Tim O’Neil of South Portland, a principal in Monks O’Neil Development, received the Public Policy Award as an active participant on MEREDA’s legislative affairs committee. He was instrumental in the passage of legislation supported by MEREDA members.

. MEREDA’s 2007 Presidents’ Award was presented to state Sen. Lynn Bromley of South Portland. The discretionary award, given by MEREDA’s president, Roxane Cole, was presented to Bromley for her leadership of the Legislature’s Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development, and for strong support of economic development initiatives that promote responsible development in Maine.

. For his dedication over the past year, MEREDA’s 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award went to Eric P. Stauffer of Portland, of Preti Flaherty, for his outstanding leadership in MEREDA’s legislative initiatives.

Dog trainer association

BANGOR – Don Hanson, co-owner and director of behavior counseling and training at Green Acres Kennel Shop, has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Hanson is serving his second three-year term on the association’s board of directors. He served as association secretary and was its vice president in 2005 and 2006.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is the largest organization of dog training professionals in the world. Founded in 1992, the 5,000-member group promotes caring relationships between dogs and people by educating trainers in canine behavior and emphasizing professionalism and reward based training. The association’s headquarters is located in Greenville, S.C. More information is available at www.aptd.com.

Hanson is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Bach Foundation registered practitioner and therapy dog evaluator. He and his training staff first introduced clicker training and the concept of dog-friendly training to the area in 1997. Hanson has lectured on pets, behavior and the Bach flower remedies in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Japan. Since January 2005 he has been on WVOM-FM radio every Sunday night with the “Woof-Meow Show.” In its third year, the show seeks to educate listeners on how to care for and train their pets.

Beauty salon opening

BREWER – The L Factor, a beauty salon located at the Twin City Plaza, will hold its grand opening 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 3.

The L Factor is owned and operated by Regina Leonard and Jodi Leighton, who were born, raised and educated locally.

Grand opening festivities will include a grand prize winner, a live hair show and free gifts. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 989-5515.

Kitchen renovation

HERMON – A Hermon businessman was pleased to see Kitchen Tune-Up featured in a segment on renovating the home of a Pennsylvania couple on the Feb. 9 episode of the “Rachael Ray” show.

“I am thrilled Kitchen Tune-Up was chosen to renovate the kitchen,” said Craig Howard, who owns the Hermon franchise of the company. “Mike Gillenkirk, Pennsylvania’s Kitchen Tune-Up owner featured on ‘Rachael Ray,’ did an amazing job. The kitchen looked phenomenal when he was done.”

Founded in 1988, Kitchen Tune-Up is the largest franchised kitchen and bath remodeler. For information, call 848-9800.