Posted on July 2, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Celebrate Independence Day The Right Way

This July Fourth marks the 233rd anniversary of America’s independence from Great Britain. It also represents what the United States is best known for, freedom.

The national holiday commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is often celebrated with family filled activities such as Bar-B-Q’s, baseball, and trips to the beach. Parades during the day and fireworks at night customarily cap off an enjoyable time for many Americans. Yet while we’re celebrating and relaxing this Fourth of July, it’s important to remember as a nation exactly what he have and exactly how far we’ve come.

To reflect on our country’s past is both eye opening and inspiring. Amidst dire economic and emotional turmoil throughout the world, the U.S.’s situation seems favorable. As a nation, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work hard to earn an enjoyable life. As a state, we are blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty. As individuals, we can take advantage of both to live together in harmony.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed over two hundred years ago, blacks were slaves. Less than one hundred years ago women couldn’t vote. As little as fifty years ago races were segregated. Yet throughout these hardships our nation and its people have prevailed. And today, more so than ever, our country is united from “sea to shining sea.”

So when the sun’s shining down and the grill’s fired up, remember this Independence Day, and for as long as they may come, that it wasn’t long ago when the U.S. wasn’t like this. Whether it’s as good as it gets is anyone’s guess, but we can all agree America’s independence is pretty darn good.

Happy Fourth of July Mainers! Let those who fought for freedom every step of the way be part of your celebration on Independence Day. And let your celebration ring freedom.


 

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Posted on June 30, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Operation Dry Water Keeps Our Boaters Safe

The weekend of June 26th marked the first ever nationally coordinated attempt to detect and decrease drinking while boating. Operation Dry Water, as the program is called, was intended to raise awareness on the dangers of drinking and boating, and to facilitate a crackdown on impaired boat operators nationwide.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is an all too common occurrence on the waterways of Maine. Each summer, approximately 20% of boating fatalities are caused by intoxicated boaters, as alcohol impairs one’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. Intensifying the effects of alcohol are sun, wind and motion, all commonly associated with time on the water.

The National Association of State Boating Law (NASBLA), in association with the U.S. Coast Guard, coordinated the event to eliminate boating while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. An increase in policing and more check points were set up to patrol the waterways of Maine. Boaters found with a blood alcohol content level over the legal limit of .08 are subject to severe penalties, including impoundment of vessel, arrest, fines, and loss of both boating and driver’s license.

Impairment among boaters is considered more dangerous than that of drivers, as most people have more experience behind the wheel of an automobile than that of a motor craft. In addition to impairing a boater’s ability to navigate safely, alcohol is also dangerous to passengers, who may slip or fall overboard when intoxicated.

Though Operation Dry Water lasted merely a weekend, it raised national awareness on a national problem, and will continue to carryover throughout the summer and into the upcoming years. So while you’re on the waterways of Maine this summer, remember to boat safely and to boat sober. Doing so will allow you, your passengers, and all other boaters nearby, to have an enjoyable time.

For more information on Operation Dry Water please visit: www.operationdrywater.org.
 

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Posted on June 26, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Festival Season Is Festive

Summer in Maine is a special time whether you’re a lifelong resident or a weeklong tourist. Be it lounging lakeside, sitting on the sand of your favorite beach, or navigating through one of Maine’s many nature trails, there’s no lack enjoyment in our great state. But when it comes to family affairs, perhaps nothing tops Maine’s historic fairs and festivals.

For roughly four months, fairs and festivals take center stage in “Vacationland.” Be it agricultural, musical or culinary, these summer and fall events showcase all things Maine. From native animals, vegetables and pies, to parades, entertainment and amusements, the fairs and festivals attract visitors from near and far. Lasting anywhere from one day to one week, some towns have seen generations upon generations file through their fairgrounds for over 100 years. Tradition is what keeps the fairgrounds open, fun is what keeps the families coming back.

Proud of our Maine heritage, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein strives to give back and support the communities that our clients come from. For the past three years we have traveled through the state attending some of the largest and most unique fairs and festivals giving away free gifts to those who stop by to say hello. This year, for the fourth consecutive summer, we will be on the road again with plenty of hats, frisbees, pens, pencils, and magnets for our friends across the state.

So if you’re planning on attending a fair or festival this summer, we’d like to recommend a few of our favorites. If you go, be sure to stop by and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there.

June 7 - Old Port Festival - Portland
July 11 - Moxie Festival - Lisbon Falls
July 25 - Festival of Nations - Portland
August 7-8 - Wilton Blueberry Festival – Wilton
August 14 - Beech Ridge Motor Speedway – Scarborough
August 15-16 – Machias Wild Blueberry Festival - Machias
August 21-23 – Great Falls Balloon Festival - Auburn
September 13 – United Biker’s of Maine 28th Annual Toy Run – Windsor Fairgrounds
September 26 - Chalk On The Walk Festival – Biddeford

For more information on the fairs and festivals of Maine please visit: www.maine.info/festivals.

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Posted on June 22, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Cromwell Center Celebrates Caring

On June 18, the Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness held their annual awards dinner and silent auction. This year’s event celebrated Les Otten as the Center’s Person of the Year and raised over $100,000 for the non-profit organization. Otten has been the Center’s Chairman of the Board of Directors for the past five years.

The Cromwell Center is an innovative leader in disabilities awareness education. The goal of the Center is to change the attitude of people without disabilities by educating them about those who have a disability. Through teaching kids, educators, employers and employees, the Cromwell Center strives to ensure that people with disabilities - be it learning, behavioral and emotional, developmental, or physical - receive the same respect, acceptance and opportunity that every person deserves regardless of physical or mental condition.

In addition to hands on education, the Cromwell Center provides public and school libraries with collections of educational and informational books on special needs. Since 2004, the program has reached approximately 25,000 students in over 100 schools.

The Cromwell Center is named after a young boy, Jeremiah Cromwell, who was institutionalized in the early 1900s in the Maine School for the Feeble-Minded. It is not known why he was institutionalized or the nature of his disability, or whether he had one at all. But what is known is that Jeremiah Cromwell was alone. He died at school at the age of 16 and no family member came to retrieve his body for a proper burial.

It is because of Jeremiah’s hardship, and the hardships faced by many children today, that the Cromwell Center is working on behalf of children with disabilities. Through hard work and dedication, the Center envisions that one day no one will ever again experience the anonymity and suffering of Jeremiah Cromwell.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is proud to support the Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness for their efforts and achievements in educating the youths of today. As a proud member of the Board of Directors, Joe Bornstein, would like to congratulate colleague Les Otten, a deserving honoree, for his leadership and hard work. May the Cromwell Center’s hard work today pay dividends tomorrow.

For more information on the Cromwell Center please visit: www.cromwellcenter.org.

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Posted on June 19, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Maine Resident Receives Annual Art Award

Robert Indiana, a Vinalhaven resident best known for his work during the Pop Art movement of the 1960’s, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Maine in America Award. The annual award is given by the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland to honor an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Maine’s role in American art. Previous winners of the award are John Wilmerding (2006), Andrew Wyeth (2007), and Will Barnet (2008).

After graduating from technical school, Indiana moved to Manhattan and joined an art movement that combined commercial art with philosophical thought, challenging through irony a traditionally elitist mentality of art. Indiana’s approach is self-described as “sculptural poems.”

At the age of 34, Indiana held his first solo exhibition in New York, where he sold The American Dream to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Two years later his art would reach national prominence.

Indiana’s first major accomplishment was his 1964 EAT sculpture. The 20’x20’ metal sculpture consisting of five six-foot disks spelling out the word EAT became a resounding success. Commissioned by the New York State Pavilion and displayed at The World’s Fair in Flushing, New York, fair-goers lined up to see the piece of art many thought was a sign to an entrance of a diner. Confusion ultimately led to the sculpture’s lights being shut off, but not before Robert Indiana became a household name. As the story goes, it was Indiana’s mother who inspired him to produce the piece when she awoke from a drawn out sickness and asked her son if he had anything to eat. His mother would pass away shortly thereafter, and for the first time since the 1964 World’s Fair, The EAT sculpture is on display atop the Farnsworth Museum.

Soon after finding fame, Indiana created his most renowned piece of art, his 1964 LOVE sculpture. Similar in style, the piece consisted of giant red letters stacked on top of each other, with the O block slightly askew. The piece was originally designed for the MOMA’s Christmas card, and was later reproduced in numerous locations around the world. In 1973, the work was put on the eight cent stamp by the United States Postal Service, and in 1977 he created a Hebrew version with the four letter word for love, Ahava, for the Israel Museum Art Garden in Jerusalem.

Indiana moved to Maine in 1978, where he has brought with him his artistic passion. In 2008, Indiana altered his LOVE masterpiece for then president hopeful, Barack Obama, by changing the letters to spell HOPE. The work hit center stage and was adopted by the Obama campaign, who sold T-shirts, pins, bumper stickers, posters, and other items adorned with the message. A stainless steel sculpture of HOPE was constructed outside the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and Indiana donated all of the piece’s proceeds to the Obama campaign, ultimately raising over $1 million dollars for the soon to be elected 44th president.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein would like to congratulate Robert Indiana for being honored as this year’s Maine in America Award winner. It is through his hard work and groundbreaking art, humbleness and generosity, and most importantly LOVE and HOPE, that make him the ideal recipient. From June 20th to October 25th, Indiana’s work will be on display at the Farnsworth Museum for all to enjoy.

For more information on the Maine in America Award, Robert Indiana’s exhibition, and the Farnsworth Museum, please visit: www.farnsworthmuseum.org.

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Posted on June 17, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Plan To Drive In Maine This Summer Online

Traveling in Maine this summer? Worried about spending your summer stuck behind tourists and construction vehicles? Well, thanks to the Maine Department of Transportation’s travel information service, you may not have to.

Commuters, tourists, and travelers alike can now access information regarding road conditions throughout the state by contacting the Maine 511 Travel Information Service. Be it weather related issues, road construction, or general traffic congestion and delays, information on the highways and byways of Maine is available online or by phone twenty-four hours a day. Travelers can dial 511 from any telephone, including mobile phones, or visit: www.511maine.gov for real time road conditions updated by the Maine Department of Transportation and State Police staff from dispatch centers throughout the state.

511 is a free nationally designated phone number designed for drivers looking to plan ahead, yet is currently promoted by only a few states. In addition to evaluating road conditions, the 511 website also showcases cameras setup at various well-travelled highway markers and roadside locations that allows visitors to view live traffic conditions. The website also offers email alerts to keep those who subscribe informed at all times, and at areas of road closures and delays, information is as to why the inconvenience occurred and for how long it will last.

By staying informed and knowing road conditions in advance, drivers will be able to better plan for their trips, travels, and commutes. And with minimum effort, such as calling 511 or going online, drivers can maximize their time during the warm Maine summer.

For more information and to plan ahead on future travels, please visit: www.511maine.com.
 

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Posted on June 15, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Protect Yourself In The Summer Sun

As summer starts to heat up and the temperature rises, so does the strength of the sun. And while the hot and humid season is short in Maine and reason enough to be outside at all times, it’s important to remember to protect yourself from the sun.

In an effort to educate and promote sun safety, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention dubbed the Friday before Memorial Day Don’t Fry Day. Designed to encourage people to protect their skin, the day also intends to save lives.

While skin cancer is curable if detected early, it often goes unnoticed for long periods of time and can create problems for those who spend a lot of time in the sun when they’re young, later in life. In 2009 alone, it is estimated that over 62,000 cases of malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – and over 1 million cases of basal cell or squamous skin cancer, the most common kinds of skin cancer, will be diagnosed. Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also promotes skin cancer prevention with their play on words: Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap! With this easy to remember jingle, the EPA asks that we take responsibility and protect our skin this summer by remembering to slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on a pair of sunglasses.

For those that work outside during the summer, such as contractors and camp counselors, it’s equally important to take proper skin safety precautions, as long days in the sun can take a toll on the skin of even the toughest construction workers.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein wants you to enjoy the Maine summer, as it’s too short and too beautiful not to, but asks that you remember a few sun safety tips while doing so:

  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and take a break from the sun at times, seeking shade.
  • Check sunscreen bottles for an expiration date as most sunscreens become less effective after 2 to 3 years.
  • Be generous with sunscreen. One ounce – or a palm full – should be sufficient for covering the exposed skin of an average adult. Allow 20-30 minutes for the sunscreen to set in before going outside, and reapply every two hours and after swimming.
  • Limit sun exposure during the middle of the day, as UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm. One way to do this is to take the shadow test. If your shadow is shorter than you are, then the sun is still strong. 
  • Be sure that children are protected, as they often spend extended time in the sun. Older children should be cautioned about the dangers of UV rays as they become more independent, and babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight completely. 
  • Use extra caution when near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays, increasing the chance of sunburn.

While the season to be outside in the warm weather is short in Maine, and the season to be tan even shorter, it’s important to remember to protect your skin. Because a tan today might look good in the short term, but skin cancer never looks good in the long run. So remember to Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap! this summer, and, to enjoy the Maine summer.

For more information on sun and skin care safety, please visit: www.skincancerprevention.org.
 

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Posted on June 12, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

High School Seniors Send Message To "Arrive Alive"

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is pleased to announce that our fifth annual Arrive Alive Creative Contest has come to a close. The contest asks graduating seniors to think creatively and come up with a message for their peers to “Arrive Alive” and not drink and drive. This year’s contest set a record for number of participating students.

Seniors in nine Maine high schools – Biddeford, Thornton Academy, Deering, Portland, Casco Bay, Edward Little, Lewiston, Cony, and Bangor – were invited to participate in this year’s Arrive Alive Creative Contest. Entries consisted of poems, posters, videos, paintings, bumper stickers, and fashion designs. Many of them moving, all of them real.

Five first-place winners won new laptop computers, while second and third-place winners received iPods, and all students who entered the contest took away a bag full of gifts in appreciation of their efforts.

The 2009 first place winners are:

  • Athena Andoniades – Lewiston High School
  • Jacqueline Cone-Ausiender – Thornton Academy
  • Lindsey Giles – Bangor High School
  • Ikram Mohamed – Deering High School
  • Abbe-Jaye Soohey - Bangor High School

Every year, communities across Maine and America are devastated by drunk driving accidents. At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein we see firsthand the end results of these tragic accidents. In the past five years we have given away over $20,000 in prizes to graduating seniors in an attempt to raise awareness on the dangers of drinking and driving. We urge you to help send the message to teenagers to stay safe and arrive alive, and hope that you will encourage your high school to support next year’s sixth annual Arrive Alive Creative Contest.

For more information on the Arrive Alive Creative Contest and to view all current and past winning entries, please visit our website: www.ArriveAliveWithMe.com.
 

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Posted on June 8, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Be Safe In Your Boat This Summer

With warm weather on the horizon, Mainers are getting their boats ready for the upcoming boating season. Be it on the lake or in the open ocean, summer is the season to be on the water. But if floating freely is your idea of fun in the sun, then it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure safety. And that’s exactly what National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) strives to do.

Every summer in the state of Maine, we see accidents on the water that could have been avoided. From minor injuries to major fatalities, boating can provide more than its share of problems.
In 2007, nearly 700 boaters were killed on the water, with another 3,500 injured. An estimated 70 percent of these accidents were on vessels captained by sailors with no formal training. Inattention, carelessness, excessive speed, and intoxication are generally the main causes of boating accidents.

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein we see firsthand the results of reckless boating and would like to share some important safety tips to make your next adventure on the water a safe adventure.
Learn the rules of the water. Currently in Maine, by law you are not required to take a boating safety class to captain a boat. It is, however, advised and can help in the event of any unforeseen circumstance. 

  • Check for inclement weather and always plan ahead and accordingly. If a storm is approaching it is advised to get out of the water.
  • Use common sense and be alert at all times. Be wary of other boaters and swimmers, and steer clear of larger vessels that have limited turning or stopping ability. 
  • Ensure that someone else on the boat is capable of handling all responsibilities in the event that the skipper becomes injured or incapacitated in any way.
  • Equip the boat with at least one lifejacket per person aboard. Too often drownings occur because the victim was without a lifejacket. 
  • Know how to swim in the event of an emergency. Proper training is important and is taught at local American Red Crosses nationwide.
  • Avoid alcohol as it affects impairs your ability to operate your craft. Alcohol is the leading cause of one in every five boating fatalities, and studies have shown that its effects are intensified by sun and wind. 
  • Place a sticker inside your boat listing the owner’s name, home address, and phone number. Upon finding a boat that has drifted ashore, the U.S. Coast Guard is required to search for the operator. With the proper identification information the Coast Guard can first attempt to contact the operator before beginning the search.
  • Consider a Free Vessel Safety Check. The U.S. Coast Guard offers free boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations. They also provide a specialist to examine your boat and give helpful safety tips and recommendations, as well as virtual online safety checks at www.vesselsafetycheck.org.

Without a doubt, being on the water is a favorite pastime for many Mainers in the summer. By taking the time to ensure the safety of your family, friends, and favorite float, your next boat ride will be a pleasant boat ride. And when on the water, it’s truly better to be safe than sorry.

For more information on National Safe Boating Week and other important boating safety tips please visit: www.uscgboating.org.
 

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Posted on June 5, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

Don't Forget To Pack Your Passport

Beginning June 1st, travelers wishing to reenter the U.S. at land or sea borders must now show a passport. Neighboring countries that once accepted a valid driver’s license for such travel – Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean – now require stricter personal identification.

Known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the new rule was originally scheduled to take effect over a year ago but was delayed by Congress among concern that Americans weren't prepared for change and that relationships with United States' biggest trading partner, Canada, would be hurt.

Proponents of the rule feel that the security of our nation’s borders will be strengthened, while critics question how trade, tourism, and commerce will be affected. Air travelers have been required to carry passports to these neighboring countries since 2007, however many more people cross U.S. borders by car than by plane or boat. As a result, retailers in border towns are worried that consumers will stay in their home country rather than acquire the proper travel documents necessary to shop, even if the store is right down the street.

In addition to passports, Americans may enroll in “trusted traveler” programs, whose cards serve as sufficient border documentation, or obtain “enhanced driver’s licenses” from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is advised to plan two months ahead when acquiring a passport or other identification for travel as a processing delay is common. An estimated 30 percent of Americans currently have proper identification to cross into neighboring countries by car.

To facilitate travel between countries, border crossing stations are now equipped with electronic proximity readers which allow border agents to access information faster than ever. The savings in time per car is small, but multiplied by millions of travelers and it adds up to improved efficiency. For travelers who forget their identification, border patrols will work to verify that they are a U.S. citizen, acknowledging that it will take more time to do so. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said that no U.S. citizen will be denied entry back into their home country.

For more information on the new passport rule and to learn more about the “trusted traveler” programs and “enhanced driver’s licenses” please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website: www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm.
 

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