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Business workshop

BANGOR – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Office in Bangor will offer a business workshop, Pricing Your Products and Services, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

One key to business success is setting a profitable price for your product or service. This session will provide information on how to calculate the profitable price and address how price influences business decisions.

Call the Extension office at 942-7396 to make a reservation for the workshop. The workshop fee is $5.

From the Extension office, business consultations are offered to small and home-based businesses on a regular basis.

The next scheduled consultation is Thursday, Dec. 18, during the day. The sessions are free, one-on-one, an hour long and confidential. A business customer comes with his or her specific questions and resources are shared by Extension staff.

Telephone the office at 942-7396 or 800-287-1485 to make an appointment.

Pre-school recognition

BANGOR – In recognition of its excellent child care program and ongoing commitment to children, Ms. Judith’s Home Preschool on Blanchard Street has received an Award for the Highest Level on the Maine Early Care and Education Quality Rating System, Quality For ME. The award was presented by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Early Childhood Division.

“We applaud Judith D’Agostino-Nabozny for her commitment to children. By going above and beyond Maine’s licensing standards, she gives young children the opportunity to grow and develop in a stimulating, nurturing environment,” said Carolyn Drugge, State Child Care administrator.

Maine’s Quality Rating System is a voluntary rating system for early care and education centers and family child care homes.

Participating programs can earn a one-, two-, three- or four-step rating by meeting an extensive list of quality benchmarks. D’Agostino-Nabozny’s facility earned the four-step rating.

Experts say these benchmarks improve the growth and development potential of children. The rating system gives parents a useful tool for selecting quality early childhood programs.

For information on Ms. Judith’s Home-Preschool, contact Judith D’Agostino-Nabozny at 990-2429.

Mainers and tourism

ORONO – A group of 16 University of Maine Business School students is conducting a study of Maine residents’ attitudes toward tourism.

The research involves a brief online survey. The students are hoping that residents across Maine will visit http://umainetourismsurvey.com to provide input.

The results of the study will provide a better understanding of tourism in Maine for potential use by academics, policy makers and planners.

Honored bed and breakfast

WINTERPORT – Mermaid Cove Inn in Winterport was selected as one of the top 10 bed and breakfasts in New England in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2008-2009.

The awards are based on a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to www.BedandBreakfast.com, an online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide.

“We know how important independent reviews are. We’re delighted that inn goers concurred that Mermaid Cove Inn is a favorite among those seeking the B&B experience,” said BedandBreakfast.com’s Sandy Soule, an author and spokeswoman for the B&B industry. “It’s clear that the Mermaid Cove Inn earned high marks from inn goers for their fine accommodations, breakfasts, amenities and wonderful hospitality and service.”

“We are pleased that we were chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award and are proud that our guests posted reviews that resulted in this award,” said owners Mary and Kyle Ashton. “It is gratifying that our attention to the details that make a difference to guests were recognized by inn goers who took the time to write reviews of Mermaid Cove Inn.”

Mermaid Cove Inn is located in a circa 1836 building. The inn also won an award from the U.S. Local Business Association as Best Bed and Breakfast in Winterport 2008.

At the inn, home-cooked breakfasts are served by candlelight in the Sun Room. For information, call 223-5992, visit www.mermaidcoveinn.com.

Air service anniversary

BANGOR – After 12 months of nonstop jet service to Sanford and Orlando from Bangor International Airport, Allegiant Air is planning to add flights in the future.

Rebecca Hupp, airport director, said, “We are very pleased that Allegiant’s service to our area has been so very well received. The service has been so successful that Allegiant is planning to add flights to Sanford and Orlando next winter during peak times. The additional flights will give area residents even more opportunity to travel to the Orlando area on Allegiant’s nonstop jet service.”

Reservations may be made through the company’s Web site at www.allegiantair.com, the airline’s Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.

A link to Allegiant Air is posted at BIA’s Web site at www.flybangor.com.

Seed grants

The Maine Technology Institute board of directors approved 17 Seed Grants to technology companies from Cape Neddick to Limerick, Bucksport and Trenton. Nearly $206,000 was awarded, leveraging more than $309,000 from other sources.

These include two area agencies receiving grants.

. Zeomatrix LLC of Orono will conduct market research for odor-free compostable packaging, a paper-based compost bag product to be marketed to both the industrial and consumer markets. Grant amount: $10,400; match: $11,905.

. Fretz Design of Bucksport is developing a wire-forming tool for jewelers and hobby enthusiasts to shape metal easily, an expanding peg board with the ability to harden and form metal into precise shapes. Grant amount: $12,500; match: $13,000.

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 only be awarded up to a total of $25,000 in seed grants for a specific technology.

Each Seed Grant requires a 1:1 dollar match consisting of actual 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 Dec. 11. Visit www.mainetechnology.org for information about Seed Grants and other MTI programs.

Credit union food drive

BREWER – The Brewer Federal Credit Union is holding a food drive at its North Main Street and Dirigo Drive locations.

Until Monday, Dec. 15, the credit union will accept nonperishable food items to be donated to local area food cupboards during the holidays.

Drop off donated food items at either branch during our normal business hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Pet care certification

BANGOR – Denys and Carolyn Millar, owners of Carden’s Country Club for Pets, recently completed a certification program for pet care facility operators and have been awarded the designation of “Certified Kennel Operator” by the Pet Care Services Association.

The program is designed to raise professional standards and improve the practice of animal care and business management within the pet care industry. By achieving the designation, the Millars have demonstrated a high level of competence and commitment within the industry. The designation is maintained by those who hold it by participation in ongoing continuing education.

The Pet Care Services Association is a nonprofit trade association that serves more than 3,000 members worldwide. The association encourages its members to enhance knowledge and skills through educational programs, regional meetings, seminars and conventions.

Fund a Feast program

HAMPDEN – Edwards Family Shop ‘N’ Save on Western Avenue in Hampden is offering a convenient way for shoppers to participate in the Fund a Feast program.

Shoppers may purchase a $5 bag of groceries or a box containing $10 worth of groceries. Bags and boxes of groceries will be donated to the Hampden Food Cupboard and distributed to those in need.