Fusion Bangor gala

BANGOR – Fusion Bangor has been soliciting nominations for the Fusion Leadership and Vision Awards. Three awards recognizing outstanding leadership of the young professional network in the Bangor region will be presented during FLAVA III, the group’s third annual gala to be held at a decked-out airplane hangar at Bangor International Airport at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

“The FLAVA Awards are a great opportunity to recognize both current and future leaders within our community,” said Fusion chairman Chris Winstead. “This gala is the event of the year for Fusion and the networking opportunity of a lifetime. It’s going to be bigger and more unique than ever. The opportunities are endless – from checking out airplanes to enjoying delicious food and desserts. You won’t want to miss this.”

Tickets are available until 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at www.fusionbangor.com or by calling the Chamber at 947-0307. Tickets are $35.

Fusion is seeking community members to submit three-minute videos for a contest based on the theme: “Bangor is the movie. You make the commercial.” Videos may be submitted on YouTube.com. E-mail info@fusionbangor.com. Winning videos will be shown during the FLAVA III gala.

Scott R.C. Levy of the Penobscot Theatre Company will emcee the event.

Winterport Business Association

WINTERPORT – Several Winterport business owners met recently to discuss ideas of revitalizing the Winterport Business Association, once a very active group in the community.

The association has been inactive for several years, but new businesses in the Waldo County community have indicated an interest in reviving the old association under new bylaws and with a new focus.

In a meeting held at the office of T.G. Higgins Business Services, Deb Newman was elected interim president. Newman co-owns Maine Bytes, a computer repair and Web design company in Winterport, with her husband, Robert.

Ann Ronco of Old Winterport Commercial House, a bed and breakfast and antiques business, was chosen interim secretary. Tammy Higgins, owner and operator of T.G. Higgins Business Services, will continue as treasurer, the same office she held when the association was active years ago.

The association will hold election of officers at the beginning of the next fiscal year, June 2009.

Association members voted to hold meetings at 7:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Higgins Business Services, 239 Main St. It also was decided to update the group’s nonprofit tax status and 501(c)3. Dues will remain $25 a year.

During the next several weeks, a survey form will be distributed to Winterport businesses seeking information for a free listing on the town Web site and a listing in a new business directory.

Both listings will be free and do not require membership in the association, Newman said.

But the survey also will be aimed at recruiting new and former members of the Winterport Business Association.

More information about the association may be obtained by calling Newman at 223-5822, Higgins at 223-5733 or Ronco at 223-5354.

International Pet Care Association

BANGOR – Carolyn Millar, co-owner of Carden’s Country Club for Pets, has been elected to the 11-member board of the International Pet Care Association.

The association, with a membership of 3,100 represents all aspects of the pet industry from boarding, grooming, day care and all support industries.

Millar represents Region 1, consisting of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York and all of eastern Canada. She represents the membership of the association and will attend the board meetings and convention in Pittsburgh.

Before her election, Millar was appointed interim director. She has attended conferences and board meetings in Sacramento, Calif.; Louisville, Ky.; and Toronto.

Wheels on the Waterfront

BANGOR – The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Quirk Chevrolet, thanked the community for its support of the Bangor Car Show: Wheels on the Waterfront, which took place on Sept. 7. More than 200 vehicles were displayed and some 700 spectators attended.

The People’s Choice Award winner was Bruce Farnsworth of Orono, who displayed his 1967 Ford Mustang.

The Best in Show Award winner was a 1939 red Ford coupe belonging to Dana and Dottie Graves of Hermon.

A full listing of class winners is available at www.visit

bangormaine.com.

MTI Seed Grants

The Maine Technology Institute board of directors recently approved 13 seed grants to technology companies in Maine. More than $134,400 was awarded, leveraging more than $225,000 from other sources. Company locations range from South Portland to Southwest Harbor. Area awardees are:

. Flexor Energy Co. in Orono, to develop an innovative, environmentally clean, low-cost patent-pending technology that can extract energy from wind and water currents. $12,380.

. YetiFace Software LLC in Orono, to test beta version of software for, and perform market research of, an Internet-based software package to help small- and medium-sized restaurants market themselves online effectively. $4,425.

. Zeomatrix LLC in Orono, to write and file a patent for a nanofiltration membrane for woody biomass separations. $6,000.

. Flagsuit LLC in Southwest Harbor, to develop and improve space suit gloves for the commercial space flight market. $5,286.

Companies funded by MTI are bringing new products to U.S. and global markets, leveraging nearly $200 million from public and private sources and creating jobs faster with higher wages than the average Maine company.

MTI seed grants of up to $12,500 are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development. A company may be awarded up to a total of $25,000 in grants for a specific project.

Each MTI Seed Grant Award requires a 1-to-1 dollar match consisting of cash, salaries, staff time or equipment and in-kind contributions directly attributable to the proposed project. Seed grants are awarded six times each year. The application deadline for the next round of grants is Oct. 16. Visit www.maine

technology.org for information about seed grants and other MTI programs.

Membership, convention sales

BANGOR – The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that Gibran Vogue Graham has been named the director of membership and convention sales.

“We are very excited for this coming year. Adding Gibran to our team is only going to make the organization stronger by having him focus on growing our membership and promoting the Bangor area as a preferred destination to meeting planners and visitors alike,” said bureau executive director Kerrie Tripp.

Graham previously worked at Borders, where he was a sales account manager. He was responsible for business and educator services programs for a seven-store territory and helped plan in-store events, such as educator appreciation events and the “Harry Potter” midnight release parties.

Alfond grant

BANGOR – MaineStream Finance has received a $1,500 grant from the William and Joan Alfond Foundation in support of the third annual Rural Maine Small Business Conference and Market Place. The conference will be held Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Penquis Higher Education Center in Dover-Foxcroft.

According to James Macomber, small-business consultant for MaineStream Finance and conference coordinator, the purpose of the event is to foster the success of rural Maine small businesses. “The goal is to offer information and networking opportunities to help microenterprises be profitable and significant contributors to a healthy and vital economy,” said Macomber.

A recent survey of small businesses Macomber conducted showed considerable interest in learning about business practices as they pertain to financial management, access to capital, personnel management, regulatory and compliance issues, marketing, technology and management.

“We are delighted to have the support of Bill and Joni Alfond,” said Macomber. “Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy. Investing in their success will yield positive returns for the state and its rural communities.”

For more information on the conference, visit www.rural

mainebiz.org or call 800-215-4942, ext. 210.

Sales, product manager

BANGOR – Oxford Networks has hired Scott Mathieu to fill the position of sales engineer and product manager.

Mathieu is responsible for working with account managers to meet customers’ voice and data needs. In addition, he coordinates installations and ensures customer satisfaction with Oxford Networks products and services.

Previously, Mathieu served as a major account sales representative for IKON Office Solutions. He is involved in community and Chamber of Commerce events on behalf of Oxford Networks. He lives in Albion with his wife, Nicole, and their two sons.

Starting Core Knowledge

BANGOR – The Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center will offer Starting Core Knowledge 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St.

This Maine Roads to Quality training introduces the Core Knowledge Training Program it uses in professional development, such as the child development associate and infant-toddler credential, and how the portfolio can transform training into college credit.

Basic information includes procedures for documenting learning, orientation to the Maine Roads Professional Registry and tracking hours of training. Participants are required to be on the registry. To join the registry visit https://mrtq.musk.usm.maine.edu/public/login.aspx.

There is a $15 nonrefundable registration fee for the class.

Call in advance to ensure space. To obtain information or to register, call 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.

Transportation training

BANGOR – The Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center will offer a Transportation Training class for child care professionals 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St.

Topics include transporting children safely and proper installation of child safety seats with demonstrations.

The training class meets licensing requirements.

The cost is a $10 nonrefundable registration fee. Those interested in taking the class should call in advance to ensure that space is available. For more information or to register, call 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.