Chloe for breast cancer

BANGOR – According to American Cancer Society estimates, in 2008 alone, 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States, and 40,480 women will die from the disease. Such statistics are a stark reminder of how precious life and good health are, which is why an area clothing store is joining in the fight against breast cancer.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the clothing store dressbarn in Bangor will contribute profits from the sale of Chloe, a plush dog, to the American Cancer Society’s local and national breast cancer initiatives.

Chloe will retail for $5, and dressbarn will donate a minimum of $2.50 from the sale of each dog to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

The store will sell Chloe through Dec. 15, or while supplies last. dressbarn hopes to raise more than $100,000 through this year’s campaign.

“Cancer, and especially breast cancer in women, is so far reaching that it really touches us all,” said Lori Angus, district sales manager for dressbarn in Bangor. “It is extremely important to the dressbarn family that we help make a difference in the fight against cancer and that we support breast cancer patients and survivors. With the help of our customers through their purchase of loveable Chloe, we will continue the fight against this disease and build hope for women everywhere.”

According to Angus, Chloe is a loyal friend who serves as a gentle reminder of how breast cancer can affect so many lives.

“We hope that Chloe will inspire others to join us in this initiative and to support the fight against the disease,” said Angus. For information the breast cancer initiative, call 942-2918.

Advertising, marketing workshop

An advertising and marketing educational workshop will be presented 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Millennium Bridal Salon, 416 Oxbow Road, Route 100, in Palmyra. Sponsor of the workshop is the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Presentations will be:

. “Designing an Effective Newspaper Ad,” Bangor Daily News.

. “Targeted Frequency,” Time-Warner Cable.

. “The Internet as a Pathway,” PhD Consulting.

. “The Role Sports Marketing Can Play in your Promotional Efforts,” Motor Sports Promotions.

. “The Power of Video,” Picasquared Productions.

. “Marketing Your Business with Direct Mail,” the Skowhegan Press.

The cost of the workshop is $25 per person and includes a continental breakfast and light lunch.

To obtain more information or to make reservations, call the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce at 368-4698.

Child care training

BANGOR – Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center and the Healthy Maine Partnerships in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties have teamed to offer three skill-building training sessions at the city Department of Health and Community Services, 103 Texas Ave.

. “I Am Moving I Am Learning,” to help participants incorporate principles of physical activity and nutrition into the curriculum and achieve the recommended amount of physical activity per day. The class will look at early childhood guidelines and brainstorm ways to follow guidelines using an educational physical or nutrition activity. The class will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. Trainer is Kristin Brooks, Bangor Region Public Health and Wellness.

. “Early Childhood Programs Promoting Smoke Free Living,” training to provide participants with updates on Maine laws, teach about the dangers of secondhand smoke, and give the skills to talk to families about smoking.

The class will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Trainer is Emer Schiefen, Bangor Region Public Health and Wellness.

. “Nutrition in Early Care and Education Settings,” on safe food handling, easy and affordable meals, quantity food handling and healthy eating. Participants will learn skills to assist parents in providing healthy meals on a tight budget at home and practice skills for talking to families about nutrition. The class will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Trainer is Kristin Brooks.

Classes are free, but space is limited. Register with Amy Ludwig at 973-3533 or 888-917-1100, or e-mail aludwig@penquis.org.

New cellular tower

MILFORD – U.S. Cellular is expanding its presence in the Bangor area.

The company recently completed construction of a cell site in Milford designed to improve call quality. The site will increase coverage and network capacity in Milford, Old Town and along Routes 2 and 43. The new site complements U.S. Cellular’s statewide network of some 250 towers.

The new tower was built with support from the federal Universal Service Fund.

The new towers in the Bangor area are part of a $16 million network investment in the region in 2008.

“We identified the community as a priority for the support the company receives through the Universal Service Fund. People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet critical safety and business needs and the Universal Service Fund allows us to expand our service to Maine’s rural communities,” said Eric Conlon, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England.

In rural Maine, as in other parts of rural America, first responders such as firefighters and police officers depend on wireless service to respond quickly to emergency situations. Nationwide, nearly 300,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls are placed via cell phones every day.

“We need reliable wireless service to protect the health and security of our citizens and to help public safety officials do their jobs,” said Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross. “It’s a big help to us when companies like U.S. Cellular expand their networks into communities that otherwise would not receive much needed wireless coverage.”

Conlon said U.S. Cellular has led the effort to preserve federal support for rural wireless development through Connecting Rural America a grass-roots coalition of concerned citizens, community leaders and elected officials working for equality in wireless telecommunications. Its goal is to provide rural communities with the same access to technology as their urban counterparts.

“We have a very loyal customer base in the Bangor area and our expansion is a direct result of their feedback for more retail stores and added capacity on our network,” Conlon said. “Customers are greeted at our doors and served more quickly thanks to our expanded retail presence and rural areas outside of Bangor are experiencing expanded service due to several Universal Service Fund sites we have built to meet customer needs.”