Augusta’s Downtown Merchants to host Water Street expo Saturday

A downtown expo Saturday in Augusta will celebrate the history and future of Water Street and include a “unique and entertaining fashion show” as well as an “exciting peek at our shared future in Augusta,” according to a news release from the Augusta Downtown Merchants, who are sponsoring the event.

The events are at Market Square and the Federal Building.

Tickets are $5 and are available at Stacy’s Hallmark and Charlamagne’s. A special $20 VIP package is also available. The event begins at 5:30.

The event is being billed as a “great excuse to dress up a bit,” the release said.

This is a corrected version of this story.

Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Teague earns healthcare constructor certification

Cole Teague, Franklin Memorial Hospital’s chief of facilities management, has earned the designation of certified healthcare constructor. The CHC is a national credential that distinguishes an individual as being among an elite group of over 800 healthcare construction professionals who hold the certification, according to a press release from the hospital.

The CHC program supports the community of health care construction professionals and is designed to provide an objective and rigorous assessment of mastery of a well-defined body of professional knowledge, according to the release. To earn the CHC, an individual must satisfy eligibility requirements that incorporate a blend of professional experience and education, agree to adhere to the AHA Professional Standards of Conduct and pass the CHC certification examination. The CHC examination assesses knowledge required of a competent health care construction manager in the areas of health care industry fundamentals; planning, design and construction process; healthcare facility safety, including additions and renovations; and financial stewardship, the release said.

To retain the certification, Teague must demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development by maintaining currency of the certification through participation in professional development activities.

He also holds certification in certified healthcare facility manager since 2011. He resides in Fairfield with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Jack.

Chiropractor Slocum to practice in Richmond

Bath-Brunswick area chiropractor Jeff Slocum is opening an office in Richmond community. He and Dr. Tim Coffin, of Richmond Family Chiropractic, are “trading places,” with Slocum still seeing practice members in Brunswick, where he’s been for the past five years, one day a week, according to a press release. Most of Slocum’s time, however, will be spent at the practice in Richmond, the fourth office he and partner, Dr. Rok Morin, brought into the fold of Chiropractic Vitality Centers of Maine.

Slocum earned degrees from Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Missouri, the same school where his grandfather, Dr. William Smith, and 10 other family members graduated. After college, Slocum, who lives in Harpswell, returned to Maine to practice with his father at Slocum Chiropractic in Brunswick. In 1993, he took over the lead role at Holland Chiropractic in Bath, where he practiced until 2011, when he returned to Slocum Chiropractic.

NES Rentals Oakland office to display Outstanding Customer Service Award

NES Rentals’ recently won the industry’s Outstanding Customer Service Award, and it will be on display in the Oakland branch of the company, according to a press release from the company.

The award was announced at the International Awards for Powered Access 2015 award ceremony in Washington, D.C. recently, according to the press release.

The awards, jointly organized by Access International, Access Lift & Handlers and IPAF, recognize those who exhibit the best practices and excellence in the powered access industry, according to the release.

“We are extremely proud of this award,” said Andy Studdert, chairman and CEO of NES Rentals Inc. “This award was contested on a worldwide basis and reflects the progress our company has made to improve safety and customer service in our industry.”

NES Rentals branches across the country, including the one in Oakland, will host the award in their offices as a way for the company to share this accomplishment with their employees and customers, the release said.

MaineGeneral’s Diaz appointed to National EMS Advisory Council

Steve Diaz, senior vice president and chief medical officer for MaineGeneral Medical Center, was recently appointed to a 25-member board of national experts that will provide recommendations on emergency medical services issues to the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a press release from the Augusta hospital.

Diaz, a physician, of Fairfield, was notified of his appointment recently by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

He is one of 25 EMS executives and practitioners, physicians, researchers and patient advocates chosen to serve a two-year term on NEMSAC, which is authorized by Congress to provide expert advice and recommendations on key issues such as data collection, performance measurement and the EMS workforce, according to the release. It is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of EMS.

The council meets three times a year to discuss its recommendations; the first meeting of the new council will occur this summer.

Diaz began his EMS career as a paramedic, then went on to medical school and became an emergency physician at MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Center for Health in 1996 following a three-year residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program.

He has been medical director for several EMS services in central Maine, as medical director for Kennebec Valley Regional EMS and as the state’s EMS medical director from 2003 to 2010. He received the Governor’s Award in 2010 for his contributions to Maine EMS.

Each council appointee is selected to represent a defined constituency. Diaz will fill the role of physician hospital administrator.

Lease-to-own retailer Aaron moves into Waterville’s JFK Plaza

WP Realty has leased 8,906 square feet of space at Waterville’s JFK Plaza to Aaron’s, a lease-to-own retailer, according to a press release from WP.

Aaron’s leases and sells furniture, electronics, appliances and computers.

Aaron’s joins Hannaford, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Mirakuya Japanese Restaurant and Tractor Supply in the 151,107-square-foott complex at 50-170 Kennedy Memorial Drive.

WP Realty is a real estate investment, development. Management and leasing company headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Gardiner Federal Credit Union donates more than $13K to food pantries

The Gardiner Federal Credit Union presented a total of $13,541.62 to nine area food pantries and organizations that provide meals throughout the area on May 20.

The credit union holds fundraising activities throughout the year to benefit the Ending Hunger Campaign, including an annual yard sale, spaghetti supper, Thanksgiving pie sale, candle sales, a cash calendar and participation in the annual Walk to End Hunger.

The credit union credits its members for their generosity and participation in fund-raising, said a news release from the credit union.

Anyone wishing to support GFCU’s current Ending Hunger Campaign fundraiser can buy cash calendars for $10 each throughout June and July, according to the release. The calendars are available at the credit union, 10 Old Brunswick Road, in Gardiner.

A total of $1,500 will be awarded to winners throughout August.

Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream mini-golf challenge marks 25th anniversary in Waterville

Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream vice president of sales, JC Gifford, will challenge Maine comedian Bob Marley and Waterville George Mitchell Elementary School teacher Danielle French to a half-round of mini golf at the ice cream stand’s Waterville location to celebrate its 25th year in the city.

The mini-golf champion will win an ice cream sundae prepared by the two runners-up.

The challenge will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday at the stand at 170 Silver St.

Spectators can “bet” on the winner, with those correctly picking the champion winning a gift card for a free ice cream cone.

The rain date for the event is Tuesday, July 7.

Compiled from contributed releases.