Weak jobless claims, future economic activity data

WASHINGTON (AP) — A gauge of future U.S. economic activity and a report on unemployment benefits signaled Thursday that the recovery likely will remain weak in the coming months.

The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose less in October than analysts had expected. The index forecasts activity by measuring consumer expectations, building permits and other data.

And the number of newly laid-off American workers seeking unemployment benefits, unchanged last week, remains above the level that would indicate the economy is adding jobs.

Stimulus watch: Did White House overplay job data?

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government watchdog overseeing economic stimulus spending said Thursday that, in its rush to take credit for saving hundreds of thousands of jobs, the Obama administration was overly confident in its job-counting and did not acknowledge significant errors in the figures.

McDonald's® to open in Auburn

AUBURN — Central Maine's newest McDonald's® will open at 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at 828 Minot Ave. (the intersection of Hotel Road). The new McDonald's is located in the same building as the Auburn Lil' Mart convenience store, which also opened this week. To celebrate, McDonald's will offer free Newman's Own Organics® coffee.

FISC hires Broughton

LEWISTON — FISC Solutions, a Lewiston-based outsourcing service provider, announces the appointment of Kevin Broughton as senior vice president of information technology.

Portland Jetport reports growth

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Portland International Jetport is reporting its best third quarter ever.

The jetport released figures Thursday showing that 565,208 passengers passed through the facility in July, August and September of this year. That's nearly 1.5 percent more than for the previous best third quarter, which was recorded in 2008.

Women's expo

Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Kathryn Beausang, left, of Greene and Andi Locke Mears of Auburn talk about the line of Jockey comfort clothing that Beausang has on display during the Maine Women's Network Great Falls Business Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn on Wednesday. It was the second year the event was held to help promote local businesses. Beausang, the owner of RiverWalk Creations, sells and makes handcrafted jewelry and sells Jockey clothing. Locke Mears is a holistic health practitioner who owns CALM Health Works, a holistic health business in Auburn.

Chamber sets event date

LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Kora Temple, 11 Sabattus St., during the 4th Annual Feztival of Trees. The event is sponsored by the Feztival of Trees and will be catered by DaVinci's Eatery.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kora Shrine Temple is a unique piece of architecture. Those attending will have an opportunity to view the Temple's Moorish-style architecture and its unparalleled murals depicting Masonic history.

DiRusso promoted at wellness firm

LEEDS — Phil DiRusso of Freeport has been promoted to wellness works manager at Occupational Medical Consulting LLC of Leeds.

Occupational Medical Consulting is a leading provider of occupational, health and wellness services to businesses in Maine. OMC's clients have received national recognition awards for their wellness programs and have achieved substantial financial savings by developing a healthy work force.

Leggo my Eggo! Kellogg fights waffle shortage

ATLANTA (AP) - Dear Kellogg: Leggo my Eggo!

Kellogg Co. says there will be a nationwide shortage of its popular Eggo frozen waffles until next summer because of interruptions in production at two of the four plants that make them.

The company's Atlanta plant was shut down for an undisclosed period by a September storm that dumped historic amounts of rain in the area. Meanwhile, several production lines at its largest bakery in Rossville, Tenn., are closed indefinitely for repairs, company spokeswoman Kris Charles said in an e-mail.

Meader joins Franklin Urology

FARMINGTON — Franklin Community Health Network announces that physician assistant Calli Meader has been appointed to the medical staff of Franklin Health Urology, joining lead physician Dr. Richard Batstone, a urologist and surgeon.

Meader has performed clinical rotations in rural family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, women's health, emergency medicine, inpatient internal medicine and pediatrics.

Harmon joins Maine-Dartmouth

AUGUSTA — Monmouth resident Kelley Harmon, DO, a family physician, has joined Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency as a faculty member. She is a member of MaineGeneral Medical Center's active medical staff.

Harmon earned her medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford. She completed her residency in family medicine at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Augusta. Harmon is eligible for certification by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Rolerson Hebert named top educator

AUGUSTA — Mary Rolerson Hebert, a Lewiston native who teaches in Kennebunk, was recently named the Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Maine Association for Middle Level Education.

Hebert grew up in Lewiston and attended Pettingill, Montello and Lewiston High schools. She teaches seventh grade language arts at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, and has worked in the district for 23 years.

Animal hospital under new ownership

AUBURN — Dr. Catherine Sanders, DVM, and her staff have assumed ownership of the Taylor Brook Animal Hospital at 33 Millett Drive in Auburn.

Sanders is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She has been in practice since 1995, and is a lifelong New England resident. Her education and experience have spanned commercial dairy farms, as well as in-town small-animal practices. Preventive care, a specialization in dental treatment and an understanding of the animal-human bond provide the cornerstone for her professional consultations and treatment.

Cassiel's Salon adds three employees

LEWISTON — Cassiel's Day Spa, 71 East Ave., Lewiston, announces the addition of three employees to their team.

Ashley Goulet, licensed aesthetician, is a graduate of SpaTech Institute in Westbrook. She specializes in customized anti-aging facials and peels, body wraps and scrubs, eyelash tinting, body waxing and aromatherapy. She is knowledgeable in advanced skin care.

Lavallee joins Fontaine Team

AUBURN — Matt Lavallee recently obtained his sales agent license and has joined The Fontaine Family — The Real Estate Leader, 336 Center St., Auburn.

Lavallee graduated from Lisbon High School in 1994 and attended the University of Southern Maine in 1995 and 1996. For the past three years, he worked as a commercial estimator for Lapointe Drywall. He managed the credit and collections department for New England Surfaces for the previous nine years.

Lajoie wins achiever award

AUBURN — Northeast Bank insurance broker Nicole Lajoie was recently awarded the Travelers Personal Lines High Achiever Award for her outstanding work in sales and product services.

The award recognizes new business sales and overall understanding of products and appetite for a company's growth, strength and stability. It is presented by Travelers Insurance, a national carrier who reviews brokers across the nation on sales performance and product knowledge.

Chamber offers workshop

LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce will present a workshop, "Important HR Issues Every Small Business Must Know," for small business owners or managers.

Claims fall; when jobs will come is anyone's guess

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the sputtering job market flashing an encouraging sign — unemployment claims at their lowest point since January — the White House announced a summit Thursday to try to speed the day when hiring finally starts again.

While President Barack Obama called the new jobless figures hopeful, economists think claims will probably stay too high to indicate even a slight gain in jobs until early next year.

MANP offering HR seminar

LEWISTON — The Maine Association of Nonprofits will offer a seminar for those involved in human resources.

The workshop, "How to Deal with Difficult People — Argh!" will be held Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. The presenter will be Craig Freshley. Cost for attendance is $50 for members, $100 for nonmembers. The discussion will focus on practical solutions for how to transform a person's difficult energy into positive contributions.

Maine chapter receives award

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Maine Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators was recently awarded the national Chapter Excellence Award at the ACHCA's annual convocation in Providence, R.I.

The Maine Chapter, which had been dormant for several years, was rechartered in January 2009, with six members and now boasts 26 members. ACHCA recognized the Maine Chapter for its revitalization efforts, including attendance at the convocation by 14 members. Maine Chapter President Phil DuBois accepted the award on behalf of the chapter.

Pelletier named manager of Rainbow branch

LEWISTON — Rainbow Federal Credit Union's chief executive officer, Philippe Moreau, announces that Laurie L Pelletier will manage Rainbow's Lincoln Street branch.

Pelletier initially started at Rainbow Federal Credit Union in August 1993 as a teller at the Main Street, Lewiston, location. She advanced to loan secretary in 1995.

FMH to host nursing information session

FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital will host a nursing school information session for those people in the Farmington area who have been thinking about a career as a registered nurse.

The session will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Foster Room at FMH. Those interested in attending can learn more about the Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions application process, admission requirements, curriculum requirements and more.

KeyBank exec offers 2010 forecast: 'Recovery is upon us'

Last time, in 2001, Maine came out of a recession with new jobs in health care and home building.

This time, Bruce McCain said, think exports.

McCain, chief investment strategist for Key Private Bank and a regular on CNBC and Bloomberg TV, gave a 2010 forecast Tuesday morning at Fish Bones American Grill to a room full of current and prospective KeyBank clients.

The economy stopped shrinking in July, said McCain, who works out of the company's Cleveland office. "Recovery is upon us."

Information Tuesday topic announced

LEWISTON — The Lewiston CareerCenter and the Central/Western Maine Workforce Investment Board will host its ninth in a series of monthly events dubbed, Industry Information Tuesdays.

This month, the sector spotlight is on transportation, distribution and logistics and will feature a panel made up of key industry  representatives from the Lewiston-Auburn area. It will be taking place on Nov. 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The Lewiston CareerCenter is at 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston, off outer Main Street.