The Portland Daily Sun, Tuesday, December 7, 2010 by Daily Sun

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010

Booting the enforcers, logging kisses See Bob Higgins’ column on page 4

Empire’s party will test astrology See Curtis Robinson’s column on page 5

VOL. 2 NO. 218

PORTLAND, ME

PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER

699-5801

FREE

Peaks plans secession vote New council calls for discussion, straw poll on Saturday BY CURTIS ROBINSON THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

One week after taking office, the new Peaks Island Council has scheduled a “straw poll” vote on secession from Portland. The advisory group announced the vote on its Facebook page Monday. “We’re sponsoring a straw poll at the [library] community room, this Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9-2. It’s your chance to weigh in on one question: ‘Do you want to resubmit the secession bill to the State Legislature in January?”

“We’re sponsoring a straw poll at the [library] community room, this Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9-2. It’s your chance to weigh in on one question: ‘Do you want to resubmit the secession bill to the State Legislature in January?” Continuing what has been a light-touch approach to council business, the group adds: “Now, before you get mad, and start

yelling, just think of it as a kind of speech therapy. In fact, you can practice right now. Just say Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. or No. No. No. No.” The council said a moderated public discussion will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and voting will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. And Peaks residents who only want to vote can just “stop in.” While called a “secession bill,” the actual measure approved by Peaks voters in 2007 stopped short of that and even see SECESSION page 16

Art up in lights

At Falmouth line, Route 26 bridge closed to heavy trucks See a story, page 8

Old Port Playhouse 773-0333

THE MUSICAL set in 1940’s Maine TONIGHT and WEDNESDAY 7pm www.oldportplayhouse.com

This time-lapse photograph of the Portland Museum of Art Monday night shows the work of installation artist Jenny Holzer. Here, her team projects her newest installation onto the side of the museum in rehearsal for tonight’s ofﬁcial unveiling. Holzer, an internationally recognized conceptual artist who specializes in such light projections, uses the poetry of Polish poet and Nobel Prize winner Wislawa Szymborska in her work. Portland earned its spot on the list 35 cities that have hosted Holzer’s projections thanks to the Portland Museum of Art’s 2010 Nelson Social Justice Fund Program. “Her work for decades has really been about calling people’s attention to situations of unfairness and injustice around the world,” said Dana Baldwin, Peggy L. Osher director of education for the PMA. Holzer will hold a free lecture prior to the event at the Holiday Inn By the Bay from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight. The installation will be debuted following the lecture. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Playhouse adds to schedule See story, page 12

All eyes on owls See the Events Calendar, page 13

Page 2 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Effort may give birds, bees, trees legal standing LOS ANGELES (AP) — What if a trimmed tree could sue as an amputee or a shucked clam could claim wrongful eviction? In an effort to ban everything from drilling oil to incinerating garbage, about a dozen communities across the country have adopted ordinances that give nature legal standing and water down the rights of businesses. The long-debated philosophy could face court challenges. It has gained traction among those who believe the environment needs greater protection, even while critics ridicule the thought of arming bugs with legal rights against foes such as lawn mowers. “What if the Amazon could sue an oil company for environmental damage?” said Shannon Biggs, with Global Exchange. Whether these laws will hold water remains to be seen. Environmental lawyers say the ordinances are misguided and unlikely to accomplish much. Even the academic credited with inspiring the movement called the laws silly. “It’s not protecting nature,” said Christopher Stone, a University of Southern California international environmental law expert, who said the laws appeared more focused on protecting communities. In the 1970s, Stone penned a seminal article, “Should Trees Have Standing?”, which was cited during a famed Supreme Court decision. The case involved the Sierra Club trying to stop The Walt Disney Co. from building a large ski resort at Mineral King Valley in California’s southern Sierra Nevada. The court decided the group lacked standing and failed to show how it would be injured, though environmentalists prevailed when Congress added the land to Sequoia National Park in 1978. The case and article inspired decades of debate on the issue, including a mocking poem by the American Bar Association that asked, “How can I rest beneath a tree if it may soon be suing me? Or enjoy the playful porpoise while it’s seeking habeas corpus?” Avenues for defending natural resources through federal protections such as the Clean Water and Clean Air acts have expanded significantly since those days, prompting legal experts to ask if these nature-based laws are necessary.

SAYWHAT...

“

Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.” —H. G. Wells

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DIGEST––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

3DAYFORECAST Today High: 34 Record: 71 (1998) Sunrise: 7:01 a.m.

MARKET

Tomorrow High: 29 Low: 16 Sunrise: 7:02 a.m. Sunset: 4:04 p.m.

Tonight Low: 20 Record: 0 (1906) Sunset: 4:04 p.m.

Thursday High: 27 Low: 13

DOW JONES 19.90 to 11,362.19 NASDAQ 3.46 to 2,594.92 S&P 1.59 to 1,223.12

LOTTERY#’S

TODAY’SWORD

DAILY NUMBERS Day 7-6-2 • 6-8-8-9 Evening 5-4-9 • 9-8-6-8

pogonip noun; An ice fog that forms in the mountain valleys of the western U.S. — courtesy dictionary.com

1,416 U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WORLD/NATION–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bernanke’s remarks rattle stock market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks spent most of Monday in a funk brought on by cautious comments about the economy from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Hopes for a compromise on extending Bush-era tax cuts and unemployment benefits erased some of the losses. The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 20 points, breaking a three-day winning streak. Stock indexes traded in a tight range all day and volume was light. Stocks began the day on a sour note after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economic recovery is still struggling to become “self-sustaining” without government help. In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday, Bernanke argued that Congress shouldn’t cut spending or boost taxes given how fragile the economy remains. He also said it could take four or five more years for unemployment, now at 9.8 percent, to fall to a historically normal 5 percent or 6 percent. Stocks recovered somewhat in the afternoon after Obama said in a speech that he would

In this Sept. 30 ﬁle photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testiﬁes on Capitol Hill Washington. Bernanke is seeking to defuse rising criticism of the Fed’s $600 billion bond-purchase plan by arguing that it’s needed to bolster the economy and reduce unemployment. But he warns the Fed’s program can’t succeed on its own. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

cede ground to help lawmakers reach an agreement on the tax cuts and unemployment benefits. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 19.90, or 0.2 percent, to close at 11,362.19. The index had been down as many as 32 points earlier in the day. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 1.59, or 0.1 percent, to 1,223.12. The Nasdaq composite index rose 3.46, or 0.1 percent, at 2,594.92.

Last week, strong reports on home sales, retail spending and consumer confidence lifted the Dow 2.6 percent, its best weekly gain since hitting a 2010 high on Nov. 5. The Dow is up 8.9 percent for the year. “The animal spirits of investors remain bullish,” said Channing Smith, a money manager and managing director of Capital Advisors Inc. However traders still have concerns about the lingering Euro-

pean debt crisis and the state of U.S. economy, he said. Treasury prices rose as investors put money into less risky assets. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite to its price, fell to 2.95 percent from 3.00 percent late Friday. That yield helps set interest rates on many kinds of loans including mortgages. Gold for February delivery added $9.90 to settle at $1,416.10 an ounce. Silver gained 46.40 cents to settle at $29.735 an ounce.The dollar rose 0.4 percent against an index of six other currencies. In corporate news, Barnes & Noble Inc. shot up $1.41, or 10.6 percent, to $14.69 after activist investor William Ackman and other shareholders of Borders Group Inc. said they were prepared to finance a $16 per share takeover bid for Barnes & Noble. Sprint Nextel Corp. jumped 25 cents, or 6.4 percent, to $4.17 after the company said it would start phasing out the Nextel part of its network in 2013. That decision follows near-constant subscriber losses since Sprint bought Nextel in 2005.

State police arrest 38 on outstanding warrants DAILY SUN STAFF REPORT Maine State Police arrested 38 people in York County during the month of November in a roundup of individuals who had outstanding arrests warrants, the state police reported in a press release. In all, 52 separate charges were lodged against the 38 people, with all but one was taken to the York County Jail in Alfred. Among the charges lodged were robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, domestic violence crimes, drug charges, probation revocations, bail violations, failure to report for jail sentences, habitual offender traffic violations, theft, operating under the influence and operating after suspension, police reported. Three were also arrested for being a fugitive from justice for charges pending against them in New Hampshire. Those arrested include Corry Christensen, 20, of Hollis, wanted for the past two years by the State Police for aggravated assault in which he allegedly struck a person in the head with a baseball bat, the press release stated. Eric Gaouette, 37 of Dover, N.H., was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for

a burglary of a liquor store in Rochester, N.H. He was also wanted by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department for burglary and the York County Sheriff’s Department for failure to report for a jail sentence on a criminal terrorizing conviction, state police reported. Joshua Rogers, 37, of Dover, N.H. and his wife, Dakota Rogers, 28, of Sanford, were both wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for probation revocation, state police reported. Joshua was also wanted by the Berwick Police Department for failing to stop for a police officer and operating without a driver’s license after being involved in a motor vehicle pursuit in which he escaped into New Hampshire earlier this year, state police reported. Shaun Buck, 33, of Portland, was wanted by Portland Police for possession of schedule drugs, violation of bail, criminal forfeiture, and probation revocation. Buck initially provided officers with a false name, but troopers were able to verify his identity from his tattoos and placed him under arrest, state police reported. Anthony Foglio, 25, from Waterboro, was wanted by the York County Sheriff’s Department for receiving stolen property

and violation of bail, state police reported. Foglio was the third person arrested in connection with several recent thefts in the Waterboro area, the press release stated. He was located in a hotel room in Bath and was in possession of scheduled drugs which he faces additional charges for, state police reported. After Foglio’s arrest, Bath Police were able to link Foglio to a pickup truck that was stolen near his hotel and as a result now faces charged of aggravated criminal mischief and unauthorized use of property, state police reported. Joseph McManus, 29 of North Anson, was wanted for operating after his driver’s license was revoked and violating his bail, state police reported. McManus was stopped driving in his motor vehicle at the Scarborough toll booth off the Maine Turnpike and he ran off, leaving his vehicle behind, state police reported. McManus was later found and arrested inside the front door of the nearby Christmas Tree Shop in Scarborough, and he faces additional charges for the new driving violations from that incident, police said. Troopers were assisted by the York County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service in the arrests.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 3

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OBITUARIES –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Helena Annie Konan, 93 Helena Annie Konan, 93, died on Dec. 6, 2010, at Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence in Portland where she had resided for the last few years. Helena was born in Worcester, Mass., a daughter of Joseph and Eva M. Rutkosky Yanaskevic. She attended Westbrook High School. Helena married Ignatius John Konan, Jr. who predeceased her in Feb. 19, 1969. Following the death of her husband, she began working

as a stitcher for Holmes Stickney and later at Sebago Moc until her retirement. Helena was a longtime communicant of St. Louis Church, Portland. At the Church she served as President of the Women’s Society, as chairman for the Catholic Charities Drive, and as a member of Holy Rosary Society. She worked tirelessly on innumerable suppers and “Polish Picnics” for the benefit of the church. Helena was predeceased by her parents; her husband; a son, Phillip J. Konan, on April 1, 1999; two sisters, Beatrice Clemons and Mary Richard; and two brothers, Bennie Kluchnik and Peter Kluchnik. She is survived by her daughter, Virginia Konan, of Portland; sisters, Josephine Dzialga, of West-

SCARBOROUGH — Melissa S. Pettingill, 45, of Arbor View Lane, Scarborough, Maine passed away Dec. 3, 2010, at a Portland Hospital after a courageous 19-month battle with lung cancer. Melissa was born in Ipswich, Mass., March 24, 1965, a daughter of Gale and Beverley Kleiner. She was educated in the Ipswich Schools and graduated in 1984. She was also a graduate, with honors, from the University of Maine in Orono in 1988 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Melissa was a teacher at the Westbrook College Children’s Center for many years and the Shooting Stars School for children with special needs. For many years she was a mentor to a teenage mom in Portland, a volunteer in the Scarborough School system and was a member of the East Point Church in Portland, Maine. Melissa loved spending time with her family skiing in North Conway and taking trips to beaches from Maine to Florida. She had a passion for photography and enjoyed attending her boy’s athletic events. Her main focus was taking care of her family and all children. Melissa is most known for her kind, caring, unselfishness and giving personality. She touched the lives of friends and family from Maine to California.

brook,; Stella Dalton of South Portland; and Julia Barnes of Chancellor, Ala.; a grandson, Gregory J. Konan of Pennsylvania; and two great-grandchildren, Trevor P. and Tyler J. Konan of Pennsylvania. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth St., Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com.

Melissa S. Pettingill, 45

Katherine Elizabeth Howes Brooks, 88 Katherine Elizabeth Howes Brooks, 88, of Fessenden Street died peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, following a long illness. She was born in Framingham, Mass., the daughter of Seth Francis Harrison and Ruth Miriam Bullard Howes and has lived in Portland for the past 25 years. In 1940 she attended Colby College where she met her husband, Wendell C. Brooks Jr. Due to imminent deployment during World War II they ran across the border into Mexico to marry, and their romance lasted for 51 years. For many years they traveled the Far East with the State Department. While traveling overseas Katherine kept busy by teaching English at various foreign colleges as well as managing a commissary on a small embassy compound. She is an accomplished poet, and her work has appeared in numerous publications, including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and

Ellery Queen Magazine. Her sense of humor is unsurpassed. She had a full and exciting life, having lived in 32 places during her 88 years. Katherine was predeceased by her husband, Wendell, in 1994, two sisters Ruth Mistark and Constance Gruemer. She is survived by two daughters Wendie A. Geiger of Portland, Katherine M. Brooks of Portland, two grandchildren Katherine L. and her husband David English of Pennsylvania, Roberta B. Berry of Portland, a great-granddaughter Jaelynn A. Berry of Portland, a niece and a nephew. At the family’s request all services will be private. Burial will be in the family lot of Rural Cemetery in Southborough, Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of the ConroyTully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, Maine. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.

HOLIDAY WREATHS AT EVERGREEN & FOREST CITY CEMETERIES We are now taking orders for live Holiday wreaths made by local craftsmen, which we will place at graveside for you.

PLAIN- $30 DELUXE- $45 Orders must be placed by December 17th Please call the office for more information Monday through Friday 7:00am-3:30pm

672 Stevens Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103 • 207-797-4597

Predeceasing her was a sister, Cheryl Grimes in 2006. Surviving is her husband of 20 years, Mark Pettingill of Scarborough, two sons, Zach and Skylar Pettingill of Scarborough, two sisters, Kara Johnston of Somerset, Mass., and Valerie Marshall of Ipswich, Mass., and her parents of Ipswich, Mass. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute at www.dana-farber.org. Visiting hours were held Monday, Dec. 6, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 671 U.S. Rt. 1, Scarborough, Maine. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the East Point Church, 58 City Line Drive, Portland.

P E P P E R C L U B dinner 7 nights

The Good Egg Café 6 mornings

two favorites in one location FREE WI-FI AM & PM

Still Celebrating 21 Years for $21 4-Courses... $21

Have Your Holiday MANY NEW Party With Us! OPTIONS! We are new accepting reservations for New Years Eve Breakfast Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 7-11am; Sat & Sun 8am-1pm

78 Middle St, Portland, ME • 207.772.0531 • www.pepperclubrestaurant.com

Page 4 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

––––––––––––– COLUMN –––––––––––––

Buchanan creates false parallel regarding leaked documents Editor, Pat Buchanan’s attempt to hold President Obama responsible for the wikileaks mess and relate the wikileaks story to the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame by members of George W’s administration in retribution for an article written by her husband, Joesph Wilson, is absurd (guest column, “The 9/11 of American diplomacy,” Saturday, Dec. 4). In his attempt to become a brainless politico showing off for his friends, PB has succeeded. President Obama, or someone in his administration, can at most be accused of not making greater strides in electronic data protection, not of perpetrating the leaks or in any way involved with their publication- GW and his gang are accused of pettiness and a reckless desire to have everything the way they want it — lying, intimidating, misusing their power to benefit themselves while putting a CIA agent at risk of death. These stories are unequivocal — one is about a crime, the other about network security and how it’s time to get to work on better securing ourselves from computer intrusions and possible attacks. Paul DiBiase Falmouth

We want your opinions All letters columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of the writer or artists and do not reﬂect the opinions of the staff, editors or publisher of The Portland Daily Sun. We welcome your ideas and opinions on all topics and consider every signed letter for publication. Limit letters to 300 words and include your address and phone number. Longer letters will only be published as space allows and may be edited. Anonymous letters, letters without full names and generic letters will not be published. Please send your letters to: THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, news@portlanddailysun.me. Following are the ways to send news: E-mail the Portland Daily Sun at news@portlanddailysun.me. If e-mail is not available, fax us at (207) 899-4963. Or to speak to a reporter, call (207) 699-5801. Deadlines for news: 5 p.m. two days before publication.

Portland’s FREE DAILY Newspaper Curtis Robinson Editor David Carkhuff, Matt Dodge Reporters THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN is published Tuesday through Saturday by Portland News Club, LLC. Mark Guerringue, Adam Hirshan, Curtis Robinson Founders Offices: 61 St. Lawrence St. Portland, Maine 04101 (207) 699-5801 Website: www.portlanddailysun.me E-mail: news@portlanddailysun.me For advertising contact: (207) 699-5801 or ads@portlanddailysun.me Classifieds: (207) 699-5807 or classifieds@portlanddailysun.me CIRCULATION: 14,000 daily distributed Tuesday through Saturday FREE throughout Portland by Spofford News Company jspofford@maine.rr.com

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COLUMN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Booting the enforcers, and kisses on Art Walk From time to time, the in-box fills to an overflowing level with items that are interesting, but just not juicy enough to make a full column out of. One or two paragraphs, sure. But to drag a tiny item out to a full column requires a skill set that I’ve not developed yet, particularly when it comes to keeping the reader from wanting to gouge their eyeballs out. Portland has made yet another of the much ballyhoo’d national lists. This time around, Portfolio Magazine ranked Portland 26th on the list of “Brainiest Cities In America.” The list was based on a ton of educational and employment factors, but the over and under bet on this list is whoever put it together has never been in the Old Port area at closing time. There, dumb is an art form, topped only by various activities at First Friday Art Walk. On Saturday night around 5 p.m., anyone who was wandering down to the Old Port via Middle and Union streets might have seen a sight that would bring tears to the eye of any Portland parking scofflaw. One of the city’s

Bob Higgins ––––– Daily Sun Columnist parking enforcement vehicles was parked on the corner, but this time, there was a difference. Someone had taken a boot out of the back of the truck, and “booted” the vehicle in place, taking the time to affix the mandatory “Do Not Move Vehicle” sticker to the window. After a moment of laughter, and several futile attempts to borrow a cell phone camera, I trudged on down the road, only to see an older tourist couple that had already seen it. Tourist attractions can be small, spur of the moment things, and this sight did get a few chuckles in the short time I stayed there before heading off to beertown. With the approach of the first “major storm” of the season, folks have, as usual, lost their minds. Sweaters donned and

coffee mugs are on the desk of the WCSH weather center, with the usual ominous music in the background. Quick! Buy water, bread, milk, beer, and anything else you might need if you were trapped in the house for a few days! Panic in the streets! Sensible folks have already gone to the basement, and seen the untouched water bottles from last year, and realized that we are made of sterner stuff. Two robberies in the Bayside area in the last few weeks tipped the funny meter a little. Usually, robberies of any kind aren’t funny. In one case, the robbers took the man’s wallet, and his pants. Perhaps this was just an excuse to be wandering around pants-less. In another, a man reported to the police department that he had been robbed of his knapsack, which had over $1,800 inside. Something tells me that the man might decide to open a bank account. Late news from Peaks Island. The new council has wasted no time, setting up a straw poll at the community room this Saturday, Dec. see HIGGINS page 5

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 5

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– STAFF OPINION ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Empire’s party will finally test astrology of place As a late-January Capricorn with double Scorpio in my chart, there’s no way I’m going to believe in something as hair-brained as astrology. But some do, and a few years ago the Believers forced me to conisder an exercise that mapped the fate of nonhuman entities — mostly companies but also towns — based on the stars. The study of such fate has nearly doubled in the last two years – granted, it’s gone from six believers to nearly a dozen, but still ... Part of that Star/Place analysis indicates that cities are often skewed by having a significant number of shops with a particular sign. Sagittarius shops, for example, abound in Portland because so many places open in the fall — you may have noted that Longfellow Books just turned 10 and Empire Dine & Dance turns three this week (actually, a big party tonight), to note just a couple. One of the places I go, as a lateCappy with double Scorp, to mock astrology a few times daily is Susan Miller’s AstrologyZone.com. There, she rambles on with the sort of generali-

Curtis Robinson ––––– Usually Reserved ties and inaccuracies usually reserved for auto mechanics addressing the electrical mythology of vintage Saabs. Astrology for me is strictly for entertainment, you understand, I wouldn’t base a decision on anything like astrology ... well, unless Mercury is retrograde; I’m skeptical but not insane. So, you Sagittarius business creators out there, does it pan out? It seems the “Sag” (according to another site somehow stuck on my bookmarks) “... seem to be guided by luck, good things happen to Sagittarius and this is usually because of their optimistic outlook and positive disposition which attracts good fortune. Despite hardships, Sagittarius is always optimistic that good things will happen tomorrow and the future

carries good luck.” Okay, that explains our constant expectation of both peace in our time and a good parking space. Do go on ... “Sagittarius are detached from emotions because emotions hold a person back, they do not like to talk about their feelings, they simply experience them and move on. Sagittarius can be reckless and irresponsible because they will jump at a suggestion of something new before they weigh the advantages and disadvantages.” Okay. Add an excel spreadsheet and that sounds like the outline of a creative economy business plan, I’ll give you that. And this is what Ms. Miller suggests for, say, Empire: “This time, rather than cross your fingers that one of your friends will throw you a party, you might just decide to throw one for yourself — at home. With Jupiter and Uranus brightening your fourth house of home and property, you’ve got the right idea.” And this: “This month will bring unanticipated snags and reversals due to Mercury in retrograde from

December 10 to 30 and Uranus in hard angle to the December 21 eclipse. It’s never wise to make verbal or written agreements or to launch new ventures during Mercury in retrograde, so sit tight.” Wow. Sorry to hear that about Uranus. And who in the hospitality business could refute this advice? “Keep in mind that having problems with real estate would be a fluke, due only to this eclipse. You have your own ruling planet, good fortune Jupiter in this house, guarding it and bringing all kinds of options and opportunities.” Hey, it’s all very entertaining but, come on, really? A sign that can hold both Jimi Hendrix and the Bush twins? We’ll have to perhaps do some scientific research ... seems to me that if the Empire party rocks, then it’s all true, and if not, well, that’ll teach them to jump at the suggestion of something new. (Curtis Robinson is editor of The Portland Daily Sun. Contact him at curtis@portlanddailysun.me.)

Up from homophobia not to move out, would I be able I used to be a homophobe. to deal with being in close proxI didn’t dislike gays a little; imity with a homosexual? If I I disliked them a lot. Growbroke off the friendship, would ing up in Texas, I didn’t I be doing him an injustice? I know anyone who admitted faced a dilemma, and I hated it. to being gay, and I found the In the end, I was forced to conwhole idea sick and repulclude, not without apprehensive. sion, that the revelation didn’t On top of that, I was change anything. We were good politically, religiously and friends before, and we would socially conservative. So if ––––– stay good friends. And 35 years you’d told me 40 years ago Creators later, we still are. that in 2010, I’d be in favor Syndicate I’m telling you this not to of letting gays serve in the impress you with how broadmilitary and get married, I’d minded and tolerant I proved. I was have thought you were on some bad neither. I just had to deal with reality. acid. Before, my notions about gays But one day of my junior year in were uninformed. Confronted with college, I came back from class to find an actual gay person whom I liked, a note on my desk. It was from my respected and trusted, I was forced roommate, a friend since my freshto reexamine my prejudices, and they man year, informing me that he was began to crumble. gay. What happened to me, of course, has I was stunned and confused. It had happened to millions of other Amerinever once crossed my mind that he cans. It’s easy to be homophobic if you wasn’t a fellow heterosexual, and don’t know anyone who is openly gay. I didn’t know what to do. Having a But that’s true of fewer and fewer friend who was gay was disturbing people. As gays have become forthenough, but a roommate? right about their sexual orientation, I discussed it with him. I discussed the rest of us have had to assess them it with my pastor. I lay awake nights. not as gays, but as whole human I gave it a lot of thought. If I decided

Steve Chapman

beings. So I’ve had gay friends and gay coworkers. I’ve had lesbian neighbors. I’ve had gay and lesbian relatives. When one gay relative back in Texas had a wedding — in all but the legal sense — my wife and I attended and found it eerily similar to the straight version. All these experiences have impressed on me the obvious fact that homosexuals are not an alien species. That’s in keeping with our broad national experience. In 1985, only 22 percent of us said they had a friend who was gay. By 2008, 66 percent did. And attitudes have followed. In 1982, only 34 percent of Americans regarded “homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle.” Today, it’s 57 percent. Familiarity, in this case, doesn’t breed contempt. It breeds acceptance. Heterosexuals have always lived and worked with gays, but without knowing it. Once they find out, most learn they have more similarities than differences. If the military’s ban on open gays is repealed, a lot of people in uniform will soon come to the same realization. Many already have. The Pentagon’s new report on “don’t ask, don’t

tell” says that when it surveyed military personnel, two out of three said they’ve served alongside colleagues they believed to be gay. Such experiences make a huge difference. In Army combat units, 48 percent of those responding said repeal of the ban would have a negative impact, and in Marine combat units, 58 percent agreed. But among those who have served with someone they believe to be gay, 92 percent of service members found no negative effects on unit performance. Nine out of 10 of those in Army combat units, as well as 84 percent of those in Marine combat units, said the same thing. Like any big change, the repeal will have its awkward moments, and it will take some adjustment. But in the end, it will turn out to be no big deal. As one “special operations warfighter” quoted in the report said, “We have a gay guy. He’s big, he’s mean, and he kills lots of bad guys. No one cared that he was gay.” I know the feeling. (Steve Chapman blogs daily at newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/steve_ chapman.)

Keeping cash in a knapsack might have backﬁred in this case HIGGINS from page 4

11, for the discussion of “should we resubmit the secession bill to the legislature?” Debate and discussion is from 9-11, and asked to be civil. No torches or pitchforks. Voting is from 9-2. Thoughts of final arrangements came to mind this weekend as several regulars from the bar went to a memorial service for local John Harford. They were all headed to send him off with a “celebration of life” thing, but that got a few of us around the bar to thinking. I know Hunter went out with his ashes scattered from a cannon, but the consensus was

my idea was just a bit better. I want my ashes compacted, and put into the middle of a stripper pole. That way, at least once a year, my married friends will have an excuse to come out of the house and “pay respects.” Luck and fortunate timing found me a new apartment over the weekend. This might not be of particular interest to the readers, but is to me, keeping in mind that the weather is growing colder than an IRS audit. At the Portland Art Walk last Friday, there was an “exhibition” at one of the galleries, featuring a girl to be kissed. You could kiss her anywhere, but

had to write down your name and the location of the kiss in a logbook. A snarky person such as myself would only have put “Somewhere in Portland, or thereabouts.” Who said First Friday can’t be entertaining? It’s the little things that add up to life in Portland during the beginnings of the long winter months. Too early for the winter walk, and the first slipping on the ice, too late in the year for any form of public nudity. Damn our winters. (Bob Higgins is a regular contributor to The Portland Daily Sun.)

Page 6 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FOOD COLUMN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Reading and eating: A foodie’s holiday wish list I was recently given “American Food Writing,” an anthology edited by Molly O’Neill, the food columnist for the New York Times Sunday Magazine. This survey spans 250 years, beginning with an essay by a Scandinavian visitor to New York in the 1740s and concludes with a selection from Michael Pollen’s “Omnivore’s Dilemma” where he describes the cognitive dissonance of an “organic industrial meal.” There are essays from Lydia Child, Julia Child, Alice Waters and Anthony Bourdain; recipes from Thomas Jefferson, George Washington Carver, Madhur Jaffrey and the Rombauers. It’s tapas style reading: enough flavor and substance to be satisfying, leaving room for another round without the carby fillers you get when plowing through a full reading entree. Since it is the season for wishlists, I thought I’d wish for an anthology of Maine Food Writing. As long as such a request remains wishful thinking, I’ve decided to invent my own table of contents: • Notes from the log of Leif Ericson about the

Seng ch ai T h ai C uis ine

45 India Street, Portland, ME 207-775-1854 • 207-774-9046 Open Mon-Fri 8am to 5:30 pm • Sat. 8am to 5pm Call in your deli orders for faster service!

(Margo Mallar is a Portland resident and Daily Sun contributor.)

FREE LOAN CAR WITH REPAIRS OVER $200 One Industrial Way Suite 5, Portland Off Riverside St., next to Hannaford’s

(207)899-4924

Convenient at your location!

25 Years Experience Domestic & Foreign Dependable Auto Repair

ONLY $20.99

LUNCH SPECIAL 3 Entrée Items with Appetizer or Soup...

RATED BEST THAI FOOD IN PORTLAND 4 Stars in Maine Sunday Telegram

Pick up or we deliver to Greater Portland OPEN 7 DAYS 11-10pm 207-773-1001, 207-879-2577 or 207-773-1732 Fax: 207-347-7196

803 Forest Ave., Portland We use 100% Vegetable Oil ~ No MSG! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

OffOF 15% AN5ORDER Off $25 OR MORE $

Any Meal, Anytime

(no other discounts may apply)

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP $

6.50

A dream food anthology would include a parody of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with the Maine State Liquor Inspector as Scrooge, sent by the vice president of a beer and wine distributor to his retail customers. (AP PHOTO)

• Excerpts of 1982 correspondence between Linda Bean and Lynn Cheney, discussing Cheney’s novel “Sisters” and Bean’s hope that Cheney will consider Maine for a sequel. • A deleted scene from William Dean Howell’s novel “The Rise of Silas Lapham,” based on his visit to R.T. Lam’s Chinese restaurant on Custom House Wharf in Portland in 1881. • A profanity-laced letter by E.B. White to a friend, complaining about the requests from Maine fair organizers, wanting him to declare their particular fairs as his inspiration for “Charlotte’s Web.” • An account of The Charitable Smorgasbord, a fundraiser for the Wilde-Stein Alliance held in Ogunquit with actor Paul Lynde, the voice of Templeton the Rat in the 1973 animated version of “Charlotte’s Web.” • Yankee magazine article titled “I Always Eat For Free” by the man who captained the car ferry from New York to its present location as DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant. • Recipes for Joan Benoit’ Samuelson’s favorite pre-race casseroles and an offer from French’s Foods to create a series of labels commemorating American runners. • A parody of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with the Maine State Liquor Inspector as Scrooge, sent by the vice president of a beer and wine distributor to his retail customers. • A letter from the lawyer for the owner of a butcher shop on Middle Street to the owner’s brother, who had recently opened a butcher shop directly across the street. • A short story by Stephen King about a man whose sense of smell is haunted after bulldozing a restaurant in Portland’s Little Italy. He is tantalized by aromas where there is no food and can smell nothing while he is eating. • An inside look at ships provisioning for the ultrarich from Yachting Magazine by a journalist who worked several seasons for a chandlery in Bar Harbor. • A selection from Tess Gerritsen’s novel called “Deathmatches,” listing the suspects in the death of a notorious local chef found naked in Deering Oaks Park holding a saute pan with his his own liver cooked with leeks, pancetta and chanterelles. If Santa is real, it will soon be in a locally owned bookstore near you.

P a u lP in k h a m ’s A u to R ep a ir

Party Tray Special Choose from: 15 Delicious Appetizers, 10 Delicious Entrées

food aboard ship and what they ate along the Maine coast during their 11th century voyage to the New World. • A letter from a rival tea mer––––– chant after the burning of a shipDaily Sun ment of British tea in York the year Columnist following the Boston Tea Party. • A description of a walk down Congress Street in 1850, detailing the places where alcohol was available and who was imbibing. • A pair of humorous “what-I-did-on-my-summervacation” essays from a college student who wore the lobster costume on Commercial Street and one who worked in the B&M Bean Factory. • A New York Times analysis of the FBI files on MOFGA and the various Slow Food chapters. • A woman’s recollection of eating a 4-course steak dinner with her stockbroker father in the Egyptian Dining Room at the Eastland Hotel in early October 1929. • An article detailing unsuccessful Maine restaurant concepts pitched to banks and private investors, including a business plan presented as a children’s book called “Make Way for Dumplings.”

Margo Mallar

Happy Holidays from the Micucci Family Italian Pastries from Boston’s North End Pre-order Only. Pickup Dec 24th Cannolis, Rum Cake, Ricotta Pie, Sfogliatelle Julie Galli’s Homemade Italian filled cookies Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3 liter tin $15.99, 1 liter bottle $5.99 Anna Pasta product of Italy 99¢ lb. 30 shapes and sizes Bacala (salted cod) Our own Mixed Olives $4.99lb Stuffed Cherry Peppers (proscuitto & provolone)

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 7

SHOP THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES To advertise on this page talk to your ad rep or contact 207-699-5801 or ads@portlanddailysun.me D & M AUTO REPAIR “We want the privilege of serving you” Since 1977

MAJOR & MINOR REPAIRS Auto Electronic Diagnosis

Cooling Systems • Brakes • Exhaust Check Shocks • Struts • Tune-ups Engine State Inspection • Timing Belts Lights Valve Jobs • Engine Work Interstate Batteries • Towing Available

DICK STEWART • MIKE CHARRON • 767-0092 1217 Congress St., Portland, ME 04102

200 Narragansett St. Gorham, ME 04038 • (207)839-2500 • FAX: (207)839-5330 33 Pleasant Hill Rd. Scarborough, ME 04074 • (207)883-0404 • FAX: (207)883-0005 495 Presumpscot St. Portland, ME 04103 • (207)842-2500 • FAX: (207)842 -2503 643 Main St. Springvale, ME 04083 • (207)324 -2500 • FAX: (207)324-4703 631 Elm St. Biddeford, ME 04005 • (207)284-2500 • FAX: (207)284 -2503

Visit our website: www.moodyscollision.com

St. R O U D WAT E R 656 Stroudwater Westbrook ST 854-0415 AUTO “Over 35 years experience” TIRE

PORTLAND AUTO RADIATOR Established 1948

FULL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

SEE OUR NEW ON-LINE STORE

The Best Place in Town to Take a Leak

WINTERIZATION SPECIALS •Tune-ups •Coolant flushes •Radiator Repairs

SHOP LOCALLY AT WWW.ULTIMATEGUNSANDAMMO.COM

VISIT US ON THE WEB

www. stroudwaterauto.com

LIVE UP TO DATE INVENTORY

for SPECIAL OFFERS & DISCOUNT COUPONS!

SHIPS DIRECTLY FROM SUPPLIERS TO YOU TO SAVE YOU TIME AVOID THE SHOPPING CROWDS, SHOP ON-LINE @ WWW.ULTIMATEGUNSANDAMMO.COM

1129 Forest Ave., Portland • 207-797-3606

COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FOREIGN & DOMESTIC

The Bradley Foundation of Maine Miracle on 424 Main Street

HOPE

A Seafood Restaurant

Computer Sales and Service

Open for sales to the general public.

When you’re hungry for quality seafood and a fair price, come to Chowderheads.

Westbrook, ME • 591-5237 Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Gift Oak Hill Shopping Center • Scarborough • 883-8333 Certificates Available! Open: Mon-Fri 11-8 • Sat 12-8 • Closed Sun

Serving Seniors over 55 and the Disabled Computers starting at only $75.00 includes Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Plus & Microsoft Antivirus

NG PTI NTS CE AC PATIE W NE

STUDIO ONE LTD. H air

N ails

M assages

151 Middle Street Portland, Maine 04101 207-774-5756 www.studioone-portland.com

Mathieu’s Market For your convenience

We Now Accept EBT Cards, M/C, Visa and Discover.

Groceries - Snacks - Beverages 424 Main St. Westbrook

Open 365 Days A Year

G U A RD I A N H EA TER • Energy efficient • Safe for children & pets • 80,000 hour element • Does not emit odors, fumes or effect humidity • Heats up to 1,000 sq. ft.

Call us for special holiday pricing!!

Create a Comfortable & Safe Environment Authorized Floor Care Service Provider Since 1924

352 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME 04103 207-871-8610 • 1-888-358-3589

CHAIRS • GLASSWARE • LAMPS

The

“GREAT JUNQUE” Shoppe

Ifitsn ot heretod ay w e’llhaveit tom orrow .

C OLLE C TIBLE S •F U RN ITU RE •AN TIQU E S •STU F F

G etyour stocking stuffers! 570 Brighton A ve.,Portlan d ,M E 04101 615-6295 C • 772-9156 H •W ed – Sat 11am -4pm 12 STEP RECOVERY ITEMS • SMALL TABLES

PICTURES • LINENS • BOWLS

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR HEATING BILL

PICTURES • LINENS • BOWLS

Mon.-Thurs. 6am-7pm; Fri. 6am-8pm; Sat. 7am-8pm; Sun 8am-5pm

PINS & NEEDLES

TATTOO & BODY PIERCING

259 St. Johns Street PORTLAND

774-8282

193 Main Street, Suite 104 BIDDEFORD

284-4828

www.pinsandneedlesportland.com

Page 8 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Effective today, Route 26 bridge closed to big trucks BY DAVID CARKHUFF THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Built in 1932, the year that unemployment rose to 24.1 percent, Franklin D Roosevelt won the presidency and the atom was split for the first time, the Route 26/100 Railroad Crossing Bridge is nearing the end of its life. Starting today, the state is extending the life of the 834-foot-long span, which crosses the the Presumpscot River at the Falmouth town line. The Maine Department of Transportation plans to post a weight limit on the bridge to restrict it to vehicles that weigh 22 tons or less. “Obviously, the bridge is nearing the end of its life. The steel beams on there are deteriorating, and we want to make sure the bridge stays usable for the majority of traffic until the new one is built,” said Mark Latti, spokesman for the MaineDOT. About 350 trucks a day out of 14,000 total vehicles will be detoured during the closure, Latti said. The most recent inspection and repairs to the bridge were conducted in November, part of a sixmonth bridge inspection cycle, he said. “The new bridge is already being built right down river, along side of it, and it’s scheduled to open up next fall,” he said. The posting of 22 tons will allow most vehicles, including passenger cars, pickups, school buses, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to use the bridge. The 22-ton posting prohibits heavy trucks

State engineers recommended a 22-ton weight limit on the Route 26/100 bridge due to the deteriorating condition of the steel structure. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

from crossing the bridge. Trucks weighing more than 22 tons will be directed to a detour that utilizes the Washington Avenue Extension, Blackstrap Road, Brook Road and Leighton Road. This detour is approximately .8 miles longer than the normal travel route, MaineDOT estimated. Trucks can also use the Maine Turnpike, which runs parallel to this section of Route 26. MaineDOT has met with city and town officials from Portland and Falmouth to inform them about the posting. MaineDOT plans to work with trucking companies and area businesses to help minimize the impacts of the posting, the agency reported. MaineDOT engineers recommended the 22-ton weight limit due to the deteriorating condition of the steel structure, Latti said, and also to ensure the bridge remains open to most vehicles until the new

Route 26/100 bridge is completed. “There’s no danger in traveling over it, no risk for anyone who’s utilizing that bridge,” he said. It’s not unusual for the state to extend the life of a bridge until it can be repaired or replaced, Latti said. The Veranda Street bridge in Portland was posted for no truck traffic prior to its replacement, he noted. “We’ve got an aging infrastructure. Currently, there isn’t the funding to replace or repair all the bridges that need to be replaced or repaired, so in order to extend the life of a bridge, often we will post a bridge,” he said. Elsewhere, repairs to Interstate 295 are scheduled to end for the year in two weeks, on Saturday, Dec. 18, Latti said. The $21 million project was originally due to be finished this year, but some work will resume next spring, he said.

Sister city in Haiti commemorated

This month, the city of Portland along with Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership is commemorating the seventh year of a sister city relationship with Cap-Haitien, Haiti with a month-long exhibit in the City Hall Rotunda. The exhibit features information about Cap-Haitien, its history, and the work of Konbit Sante including current efforts to slow the spread of the country’s cholera outbreak. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 9

Snyder school board chair

Portland’s last council-chosen mayor inaugurated

DAILY SUN STAFF REPORT

Kate Snyder was elected chair of the Portland School Board at a business meeting Monday directly following the board’s inauguration ceremony. Jaimey Caron was elected chair of the board’s Finance Committee, the school district reported. An at-large member of the School Board since 2007, Snyder chaired the Finance Committee for the past two years. She previously served for one year as chair of the Policy Committee. Snyder won re-election to a three-year term last month. Snyder has worked since 2009 as development program manager for the Maine Board of Corrections. She previously worked as a research consultant on international health projects based at Boston Medical Center and Maine Medical Center. She served as Portland Trails’ school ground greening coordinator in 2005 and 2006. The mother of three children attending district schools, Snyder has served as a member and officer of the Nathan Clifford School Parent Teacher Organization. She holds a master’s degree in public policy and management from the Muskie Institute at the University of Southern Maine. Caron was elected in November to his second term as an at-large member of the school board. He served for three years as a member of the Finance Committee. He chaired the Facilities and Transportation Committee in 2010, the Comprehensive Facilities Use and Maintenance Needs Task Force in 200809, and the Elementary Facilities Capital Needs Task Force in 2009-10.

Nick Mavodones Jr., took the oath of office on Monday afternoon, beginning his second consecutive term as the Portland’s mayor. Mavodones will be the city’s last nonelected mayor as voters approved an overhaul in the city’s charter mandating mayors be elected by citizen using instant runoff voting. Mavodones will serve as mayor until next December when he’ll be replaced by the city’s first elected mayor since the 19th century. At the inauguration ceremony on Monday afternoon, Mavodones called Portland the “greatest city in the world” and announced his plans for his next year as mayor, including the formation of an ad-hoc legislative committee and a series of public forums addressing issues of economic development, sustainability and youth issues. Mavodones said his decision to form the legislative committee was in response to the new Republican majority in Augusta eager to cut state spending. Mavodones said Portland must represent its interest, especially in the current economic climate. “In so many ways, Portland is the economic engine that drives the state forward,” Mavodones said. The Portland City Council re-nominated Mavodones after councilwoman Cheryl Leeman declined their initial offer to be the council’s selected mayor. Also returning to take their oaths of office on Monday were at-large city councilors John Anton and Jill Duson, as well as District 3 Councilor Ed Suslovic. (MATT DODGE PHOTO)

Northern Maine gets walloped with snowfall BANGOR (AP) — Heavy snow fell across the northern half of Maine in the state’s first major snowstorm of the season Monday, knocking out power for thousands of homes and businesses, closing scores of schools and causing treacherous travel conditions. Nearly a foot of snow had fallen in many places by late

afternoon, with 16 inches reported in the Penobscot County town of Lakeville. The National Weather Service was calling for some locations to get 20 inches by the time the snow stopped in the overnight hours. More than 2,000 homes and businesses were without power in the morning due to heavy snow, but the number of outages

had fallen to a little over 800 by sunset, according to Bangor Hydro Electric Co. Route 9, the busy east-west highway from Calais to Bangor, was shut down for several hours after a number of tractor-trailer trucks slid off or blocked the road, but no injuries were reported. A late-fall storm with more than a foot isn’t unusual in

PRIDE’S CORNER FLE A MA RK ET 33 Elmwood Ave, Westbrook Right off Rt. 302 at Pride’s Corner

pridescornerfleamarket.com

Best Deals for Gift Giving Shop Here for the Holidays! E Antiques E Collectibles E Books E Toys E DVDs E Gold & Silver Jewelry E Sports Cards E Records E Video Games E Fine Hand-Made Items All vendor’s will be offering ch and mu more! amazing one-time deals!

Open Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday & Sunday 8:00am to 3:30pm

A FRESH TASTE OF THE OLD SOUTHWEST

Blue Burrito Mondays

Old Town Tuesdays

Buy a Burrito or Quesadilla & get the 2nd for 1/2 Price $3.00 Draft Beers All Nite Happy Hour Menu

Any Combo Plate choice only $10 Mondays Specials valid on Tuesdays Book your event with us anytime. $2.00 Plate Charge on Splitting.

Visit us at blueburritocafe.com 652 Main St. Westbrook (207)854-0040

northern Maine, said Joe Hewitt, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Caribou. “Up here, by late November winter’s arrived,” Hewitt said. The storm caused businesses and courts to shut down for the day, while schools and universities, including the University of Maine in Orono, canceled classes.

DAILY CROSSWORD TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

by Lynn Johnston by Paul Gilligan

By Holiday Mathis have an urge to be creative, and it won’t go away until you indulge it. So make something already. You don’t need expensive tools to do it. You already have just about everything you need. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sometimes it feels like what you’re doing is insignificant in the scheme of things. However, you should do it anyway, and while you’re at it, do it with as much pride and enthusiasm as you can muster. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What someone considers beautiful might not be your cup of tea, and that’s definitely something you can keep to yourself. Sharing too many opinions could get you in trouble! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are not out to save the world, but rather to savor its many delights. When you focus yourself on the wonders, they do get more wonderful. Perhaps you are saving the world in some small way in spite of yourself. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Teaching others isn’t just something you do -it’s a need inside you. You have a talent and an affinity for helping others learn what you know. Today you’ll have a willing participant for the exercises you devise. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 7). You’ll create circumstances that make it easy for you to get the results you desire. Your influence increases as you become a bigger help in the lives of others. You’ll bond over shared projects this month and next. February brings an exciting excursion. Your extra work will bump up your income and position. Sagittarius and Virgo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 2, 11, 4 and 18.

Pooch Café For Better or Worse LIO

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You know that what you feel like inside counts more than how you look. Confidence can make the difference between “passable” and “beautiful.” Still, when people compliment your exterior, you take it to heart. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s not enough to have good intentions. The ideas have to also be exciting enough to propel you forward. When that is the case, those good intentions quickly turn into hard work and productivity. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Check the instructions, read the manual, and ask the experts because today it will be important to do things right. That said, it will be far more important to do the right things. CANCER (June 22-July 22). People try to impress you, not realizing that you can’t be swayed. You decide whether something is useful and valuable to you, and once the decision is made, you will not change your mind. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You want to take on more, but will you be able to handle it with grace? Ask around. There is always some way to manage things more efficiently. And you have knowledgeable friends who can help. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It takes talent to keep abreast of change. You’ve accepted that it’s a lifelong process. Your lack of resistance makes it easier for you to see the opportunities in every new situation. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You put your whole self into a project. Your commitment level allows you to elevate this task to an art form. It might not be pretty at first. Like all art forms, your results will get better with practice. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You

by Aaron Johnson

HOROSCOPE

by Chad Carpenter

Solution and tips at www.sudoku.com

TUNDRA WT Duck

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 thru 9.

by Mark Tatulli

Page 10 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

1 5 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 29 30 34 35 36 37 38

ACROSS Rib or tibia Equestrian Too smooth Prayer closing Sudden and severe Italy’s currency before the Euro Good buy Love goddess In the distance Infuriated Street without an exit Scoundrel Smelly Nerd Derek and Diddley Left-hand side ledger entry Armed conﬂicts E-mail laugh Troublemaker “Much __ About Nothing” Like sweetened

yams 40 __ about; be on the go without much purpose 41 Baggage porter 43 Charged atom 44 Remain unsettled 45 Weirdo 46 Wildebeest 47 Like seawater 48 Make unclear 50 Naughty 51 Lowered in value 54 Slender plant part 58 Above 59 Consumers 61 Frilly trimming 62 Refer to 63 Motherless calf 64 Study of natl. or intl. ﬁnance 65 Bench board 66 Nose, in humor 67 Cozy rooms

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 26 27 28 29 31

DOWN Commanded

36 38

32 33 35

Foretelling sign At hand Intertwines Talked wildly __ tea Final bill Piano pieces Adjust a clock Make joyous Magazine title Persia, today Minstrel poet Talk on and on Helped Doubling over Sneezy or Doc Egret or ﬂamingo Wear away __ voyage Holey breakfast nosh Defeatist’s phrase Stuffed bear Distance across a pool Guys Sweet desserts

39 Debtor’s note 42 Hit ﬁlm for Liza Minnelli 44 Rowed 46 Baby held by his sponsor at Baptism 47 __ Francisco 49 Arguments

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 60

Assail MDs, for short “See no __...” Greek letter Threesome Marathon Religious art Part of the eye Sense of self

Saturday’s Answer

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 11

––––––– ALMANAC ––––––– Today is Tuesday, Dec. 7, the 341st day of 2010. There are 24 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 7, 1941, Imperial Japanese warplanes attacked the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, as well as other American and British bases in the Pacific; the raids prompted the United States to enter World War II. On this date: In 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1796, electors chose John Adams to be the second president of the United States. In 1808, electors chose James Madison to be the fourth president of the United States. In 1836, Martin Van Buren was elected the eighth president of the United States. In 1909, chemist Leo H. Baekeland received a U.S. patent for Bakelite (BAY’kuh-lyt), the first synthetic plastic. In 1946, fire broke out at the Winecoff (WYN’-kahf) Hotel in Atlanta; the blaze killed 119 people, including hotel founder W. Frank Winecoff. In 1970, cartoonist Rube Goldberg, known for drawing wacky, convoluted contraptions meant to perform simple tasks, died in New York at age 87. In 1972, America’s last moon mission to date was launched as Apollo 17 blasted off from Cape Canaveral. In 1987, 43 people were killed after a gunman aboard a Pacific Southwest Airlines jetliner in California apparently opened fire on a fellow passenger, the two pilots and himself, causing the plane to crash. One year ago: The Obama administration took a major step toward imposing the first federal limits on pollution from cars, power plants and factories the same day an international conference on climate change opened in Copenhagen, Denmark. Manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey were elected to the baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Today’s Birthdays: Actor Eli Wallach is 95. Linguist and political philosopher Noam Chomsky is 82. Bluegrass singer Bobby Osborne is 79. Actress Ellen Burstyn is 78. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) is 73. Broadcast journalist Carole Simpson is 70. Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench is 63. Actor-director-producer James Keach is 63. Country singer Gary Morris is 62. Singersongwriter Tom Waits is 61. Sen. Susan M. Collins (R-Maine) is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird is 54. Actress Priscilla Barnes is 53. Former “Tonight Show” announcer Edd (cq) Hall is 52. Rock musician Tim Butler (The Psychedelic Furs) is 52. Actor Jeffrey Wright is 45. Actor C. Thomas Howell is 44. NFL player Terrell Owens is 37. Pop singer Nicole Appleton (All Saints) is 35. Country singer Sunny Sweeney is 34. Actress Shiri Appleby is 32. Singer Aaron Carter is 23.

TUESDAY PRIME TIME Dial

8:00

CTN 5 Lighthouse Jubilees

WCSH

WPFO

WMTW

MPBN

WENH

WPXT

8:30

DECEMBER 7, 2010

9:00 Healthvw

9:30

10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

Community Haskell-House

Bulletin Board

Minute to Win It Com- The Biggest Loser The contestants run a mara- News peting for cash and holi- thon. (N) (In Stereo) Å day prizes. (N) Å Glee “A Very Glee Christ- Raising Running News 13 on FOX (N) Frasier (In mas” Finn tries to spread Hope “Toy Wilde (N) Å Stereo) Å holiday cheer. Story” (N) A Charlie Brown Christ- No Ordinary Family Detroit 1-8-7 “Shelter” A News 8 mas (N) (In Stereo) Å Katie and Stephanie are body is found in a fallout WMTW at at odds. (N) Å shelter. (N) Å 11PM (N) The War “Pride of Our Nation” On DThe War “Pride of Our Nation” On D-Day, Allied Day, Allied troops invade France. (In troops invade France. (In Stereo) Å (DVS) Stereo) Å (DVS) Are You Keeping Up AppearAs Time Good The Vicar of Dibley Being ances Hyacinth’s week- Goes By Å Neighbors “Engagement” Geraldine Served? end. Å plays matchmaker. Å One Tree Hill A lifeLife Unexpected Lux is Entourage TMZ (N) (In Extra (N) threatening storm strikes. forced to stop hiding her “The Sorkin Stereo) Å (In Stereo) (N) Å past. (N) Å Notes” Å NCIS “Spider and the Fly” NCIS: Los Angeles A The Good Wife Alicia WGME Gibbs must protect his member of the team dis- has to make a tough News 13 at loved ones. Å appears. Å decision. Å 11:00 Smarter Smarter Lyrics Lyrics Curb Earl Open Air

Tonight Show With Jay Leno According to Jim Å Nightline (N) Å Charlie Rose (N) Å Lower Taxes Punk’d (In Stereo) Å Late Show With David Letterman Star Trek

WGME

WPME

DISC Dirty Jobs Å

FAM Frosty’s

USA Law & Order: SVU

Law & Order: SVU

NESN Go With a Pro Å

Hot Stove Red Sox

Daily

Hot Stove Daily

Daily

CSNE Head

UFC 124 Countdown

Sports

SportsNet Sports

SportsNet

ESPN College Basketball

College Basketball: Jimmy V Classic

ESPN2 College Basketball

NBA Coast to Coast

Rodeo Wrangler National Finals, Sixth Round.

Criminal Minds Å

ION

Dirty Jobs (N) Å

Auction

Movie: ››‡ “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992)

Head

Without a Trace Å

The 700 Club Å

SportsCtr Criminal Minds Å

DISN “T. Burton’s Nightmare”

TOON Movie: ›› “Underdog”

Tower Prep (N)

King of Hill King of Hill Fam. Guy

NICK My Wife

Chris

Lopez

My Wife

MSNBC Countdown

Suite/Deck Hannah

Dirty Jobs Å Psych “Dual Spires”

Chris

Hannah Lopez

Rachel Maddow Show The Last Word

Wizards

Wizards Fam. Guy

The Nanny The Nanny Countdown

CNN Parker Spitzer (N)

Larry King Live (N)

Anderson Cooper 360 (N) Å

CNBC Coca-Cola

Biography on CNBC

Marijuana: Pot Industry Mad Money

FNC

The O’Reilly Factor (N) Hannity (N)

TNT

Bones (In Stereo) Å

LIFE Reba Å

Reba Å

Movie: “An Accidental Christmas” (2007) Å

How I Met How I Met

TLC

Couple

AMC Movie: ››‡ “Nanny McPhee” (2005) Å

HGTV First Place First Place House

49 50 52

TRAV Mysteries-Museum A&E Billy

Billy

BRAVO Inside Actor’s Studio

Greta Van Susteren

Movie: ›‡ “10,000 B.C.” (2008) Steven Strait. Couple

Southland “U-Boat”

Couple

Movie: ››‡ “Nanny McPhee” (2005) Å Estate

Mysteries-Museum Billy

Couple

The O’Reilly Factor

Billy

Matchmaker

House

Hunters

Ghost Adventures Strange

Strange

Real Housewives

Hunters

For Rent

Ghost Adventures Strange

Strange

Matchmaker

HALL Movie: “Fallen Angel” (2003) Gary Sinise. Å

SYFY “National Treasure”

Eureka “O Little Town”

Warehouse 13 (N)

Eureka “O Little Town”

ANIM River Monsters

River Monsters

HIST Top Gear “Blind Drift”

Top Gear Å

IRT Deadliest Roads

Food: T.I.

Movie: ›‡ “A Man Apart” (2003) Vin Diesel.

BET

COM Jim Gaffigan

62 67 68 76

Tosh.0

Movie: ›‡ “Babylon A.D.” (2008) Vin Diesel.

TVLND Sanford

Movie: ››› “Off Season” (2001) Sherilyn Fenn.

Tosh.0

Modern Marvels Å

Kennedy

The Mo’Nique Show

Tosh.0

Daily Show Colbert

Movie: ›‡ “Babylon A.D.” (2008) Vin Diesel.

Sanford

Raymond

Everybody-Raymond

Fam. Guy

Glory Daze (N)

Conan (N)

SPIKE Ways Die

Ways Die

Auction

Jail Å

TBS

OXY Running Russell

146

TCM Movie: ››› “Warlock” (1959) Henry Fonda

Running Russell

DAILY CROSSWORD BY WAYNE ROBERT WILLIAMS

1 6 11 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 42

Auction

Running Russell

Raymond

Roseanne Jail Å

Running Russell

Movie: ››‡ “The Last Voyage” (1960) Å

ACROSS Natural talent Open courtyards Drench “Blue Bayou” singer Ronstadt Chinese dogs Mother Nature’s support grp.? Tom Berenger movie Golf gadget Lung: pref. Idle and Ambler Homburg or fedora Bus. ltr. abbr. Famous last words? Wear away Bank transaction Zodiac sign Astor and Pickford April 15 grp. “They Died with __ Boots on” Brooklyn follower Ostrichlike bird

43 Sphere of influence 44 Completely changes one’s mind 48 Jan. honoree 49 Loan fig. 50 Davis of “Do the Right Thing” 53 Silvery food fish 56 Slithery fish 59 1959 hit by the Drifters 62 Summer shade 63 Aches 64 High clouds 65 Peculiar 66 Waste piece from metal casting 67 Board, as a trolley

1 2 3 4 5

DOWN Dart about Prison sentence Pot starter Bachelor’s last words Violent behaviors

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 19 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 39

Lot measure By way of, brieﬂy Space Socialist grp. Way up 18-wheeler Grp. of oil producers Free ticket Aware of Theater sec. Lamarr of “Algiers” Many, many moons Of blood Muse of verse “Air Music” composer Philanthropist Yale French social philosopher Twangy Of an abdominal pain “Jurassic Park” star Sam Vocalist Eydie Three-paneled

artwork 40 Berlin mister 42 6/6/68 assassination victim 45 Abu Dhabi ruler 46 Visits dreamland 47 Tranquil 50 Eight: It. 51 Herring’s cousin

52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Dispatch Evening in Paris Diner’s card Being: Lat. Lawman Wyatt Spanish river Eagles hit, “__ Eyes” 60 Opening 61 Short life story

Yesterday’s Answer

Page 12 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Playhouse goes all-in with seven-day schedule BY CURTIS ROBINSON THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

One morning during last year’s holiday season, the artistic director of a local stage company facing its first Christmas crunch dared tally all of that evening’s performance options: 23. And his Old Port Playhouse version of A Christmas Carol was one of a half-dozen telling the story of Scrooge and company. Add in the must-see school plays and office parties and shopping and it was clear that a small theater completing its first year needed a strategy for Christmas 2010. So the Old Port Playhouse is upping the ante this year, lowering prices and offering seven-daysa-week programming with four productions, including the world premier of the artistic director’s own

“I just took O’Henry’s classic story and expanded it,” Michael Tobin said of the original musical. “It’s been described as stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting.” rendering of “Gift of the Magi,” billed as “...a musical adaptation of O’Henry’s classic holiday story set in 1940s Maine.” Michael Tobin explains that last year, the Old Port Playhouse sold out every show despite the busy schedule. Still, he says, the 70-seat venue simply needed to offer more. “We wanted to do something different than ‘Christmas Carol’ [this year],” said Tobin, “because

everyone does it.” He says the response so far has been good, “... but it was a slow fall and we needed to do this to regroup.” The “regrouping” includes the four shows and the theater’s first holiday annual appeal to its patrons, which seeks to get 2011 people to donate $20 each before Jan. 1. The every-night scheduling begins tonight at 7 p.m. with Tobin’s rendition of “The Gift Of The Magi.” “I just took O’Henry’s classic story and expanded it,” he said of the original musical. “It’s been described as stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids and students. Tobin said the pricing is an attempt to keep the theater experience affordable for families. see PLAYHOUSE page 16

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN CLASSIFIEDS Autos

Autos

For Rent

For Sale

1999 Mazda 626 LX, manual, black, sticker 6/11, new tires, 135,000 miles. $2200. (207)714-0860.

2000 Mitsubishi Galant. 111,600 miles $2100. 2000 Plymouth Neon 91,200 miles $2000. 2000 Dodge Stratus 156,000 miles $2300. Great cars: (603)986-3211.

FREE metal removal. Cash for large loads. Cash for cars up to $500. (207)615-6092.

PORTLAND, 570 Brighton Ave: 1 bdrm, living room, dining room Kit and bath. $685/mo plus heat & utlit. 2nd floor, plenty of parking (207)807-1004.

PORTLAND- 3 bedroom ranch, peaceful street, efficient, new deck/ roof, $1300/mo plus utilities. (207)615-3466.

Posture support queen mattress all new $130 call 899-8853.

BUYING all unwanted metals. $800 for large loads. Cars, trucks, heavy equipment. Free removal. (207)776-3051.

MARK’S Towing- Free junk car removal. No keys, no tires, no problems. Late models. (207)892-1707.

PORTLAND- Danforth Street, 2 bedrooms, heated, newly painted, hardwood floors. $850/mo. Call Kay (207)773-1814.

ANNIE’S MAILBOX Dear Annie: I am at the end of my rope. My mother-in-law is a wonderful, giving person, and I care for her. But she does not seem to understand boundaries. Last weekend, my daughter and her family came for a visit. I wanted to spend some time alone with them and invited my in-laws to drop by later in the afternoon to see the grandchildren. My mother-in-law showed up two hours early and brought a friend. When I reminded her of the time, she said she would wait in the front yard until I was ready. That was annoying enough, but she then informed me that she wanted to show her friend our house. Annie, our house was in no condition to have people wandering through it, and I told her so. Despite my objections, she barged right ahead. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but I need to make it clear that this is my house and she needs to respect my decisions. My daughter says I need to be ﬁrmer. My husband has asked me not to say anything when these things happen, and he refuses to tell his mother when she has overstepped. Now what? -- Mi Casa, not Su Casa Dear Su Casa: Your husband should speak to his mother and ask her to be more respectful, but since he won’t do it, you will have to. Your daughter is right. You need to be more forceful, but do so with extreme politeness. If she shows up with a friend for a guided tour, stop her at the door, smile apologetically and say, “I’m so sorry, but we are not prepared for company. I wish you had called ahead.” Regardless of Mom’s protestations, stick to your guns. She will be angry, but she won’t do it again. You will get the boundaries you want, although we cannot guarantee your relationship will be the same. The choice is yours. Dear Annie: My wife and I are members of a private country club. On Mother’s Day, we invited our extended family for dinner there. Our 30-year-old grandson came dressed in

worn-out jeans and a work shirt thrown over a muscle shirt. As hosts, would it be proper to ask him not to dress this way in the future? At our old country club, the manager would have asked him to leave, but that’s not the case here. We’d like to invite the family for the holidays, but we are -- Embarrassed in North Carolina Dear Embarrassed: It is perfectly OK to tell a grandchild (or his parents) that you would appreciate it if all guests would dress appropriately for the occasion. Not everyone understands what that entails, so be sure to specify what you mean. Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Lonely and Spiritually Dead,” who has been married for 35 years but hasn’t been intimate for the past 21. He offered to give his wife everything if she would just sign the divorce papers, but after three years, nothing has happened. Please tell him that he has choices other than staying miserable or “filing for a standard divorce that will drag on forever, making only the attorneys rich.” He could choose the collaborative law process. Collaborative law is a grassroots movement that has been growing at a rapid pace. He can find out about it through the website at collaborativepractice.com. Collaborative law is about preserving important relationships and avoiding the destructive consequences of the traditional adversarial litigation process, while helping to transition the family members through a difficult time in a more affirming way. It’s private, cost-effective and can produce amazingly healing results. Every state has collaborative practitioners. Please urge all of your readers to look into it before filing for divorce. -- Canton, Mass. Dear Canton: The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals includes legal, mental health and financial professionals. It also offers mediation, which can be less damaging than the usual adversarial divorce.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to: anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Prickly City

by Scott Stantis

PORTLAND- Maine MedicalStudio, 1/ 2 bedroom. Heated, off street parking, newly renovated. $475-$850. (207)773-1814. PORTLAND- Munjoy Hill- 3 bedrooms, newly renovated. Heated, $1275/mo. Call Kay (207)773-1814. PORTLAND- West End- 1 bedroom Victorian, nice building, third floor, extras. $725/mo Dr. Finkelstein (207)772-5575.

POTTERY Barn Style leather sofa- never used worth $1199 take $475 call 899-8853. RECLINER new microsuedelight brown $179 call 396-5661.

This advertising space available. Printed in 15,000 newspapers daily. $5 a day/obo* Call 699-5807 to place an ad.

Real Estate PEAKS Island- 71 Luther St. 1880’s Greek Revival, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, $389,000. Owner broker. (207)766-2293.

PORTLAND- Woodford’s area. 1 bedroom heated. Newly installed oak floor, just painted. $675/mo. (207)773-1814.

Roommate Wanted

SCARBOROUGH 4 bedroom heated $1400/mo. Call John at (207)797-2891.

SCARBOROUGH- Room for rent in luxury home. Private bath, cable, shared kitchen, parking. $500/mo includes all. (207)883-1087.

For Rent-Commercial PORTLAND Art District- 2 adjacent artist studios with utilities. First floor. $325-$350 (207)773-1814.

For Sale 2 large chandeliers, 6' tall, 45 lights with crystals. Asking $2,500 each, 603-466-3383. 3PC King pillowtop mattress set new in plastic with warranty $205 call 396-5661. ABSOLUTE bargain new full mattress set w/frame $179 call 396-5661.

Services DUMP RUNS We haul anything to the dump. Basement, attic, garage cleanouts. Insured www.thedumpguy.com (207)450-5858. MASTER Electrician since 1972. Repairs- whole house, rewiring, trouble shooting, fire damage, code violations, electric, water heater repairs commercial refrigeration. Fuses to breakers, generators. Mark @ (207)774-3116. RUBBISH Runners- All types of trash. Complete disposal service. (207)615-6092.

CHERRY Sleighbed king sz with new mattress set only $450 call 899-8853.

Wanted To Buy

HDMI cable. 6 foot, gold con nectors, brand new. $10.00. 207-772-1661

I buy broken or unwanted laptops. Cash today. Up to $100 for newer units. (207)233-5381.

CLASSIFIEDS • CALL 699-5807 DOLLAR-A-DAY CLASSIFIEDS: Ads must be 15 words or less and run a minimum of 5 consecutive days. Ads that run less than 5 days or nonconsecutive days are $2 per day. Ads over 15 words add 10¢ per word per day. PREMIUMS: First word caps no charge. Additional caps 10¢ per word per day. Centered bold heading: 9 pt. caps 40¢ per line, per day (2 lines maximum) TYPOS: Check your ad the first day of publication. Sorry, we will not issue credit after an ad has run once. DEADLINES: noon, one business day prior to the day of publication. PAYMENT: All private party ads must be pre-paid. We accept checks, Visa and Mastercard credit cards and, of course, cash. There is a $10 minimum order for credit cards. CORRESPONDENCE: To place your ad call our offices 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 699-5807; or send a check or money order with ad copy to The Conway Daily Sun, P.O. Box 1940, North Conway, NH 03860. OTHER RATES: For information about classified display ads please call 699-5807.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 13

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVENTS CALENDAR–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Tuesday, Dec. 7 4-H Club at Reiche Community Center Food Drive 8:30 a.m. From Dec. 1-16, the 4-H Club at Reiche Community Center will beneﬁt Wayside Food Rescue Programs and Community Meals with a Food Drive. Please drop your donations at West End Community Policing Center, Reiche School & Community Center, 166 Brackett St. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. 879-6024 or www. wenamaine.org

Laughter Yoga 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Laughter Yoga with Arline Saturdayborn, Dec. 7 and 14. “We will play with different kinds of laughter without jokes and mindful movement ending with relaxation.” By donation. Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland. www.SadhanaMe.com.

Portland Music Foundation presents ‘Deﬁning a Social Strategy for Musicians’ 6:30 p.m. Building and Managing Street Teams. “It seems like the Holy Grail: Getting people to work for you on promoting your shows and albums. But there’s a science to it, and there are good ways and bad ways to get your fans invested in your band or career. We’ll talk about the best way to develop a street team, how best to use them, and talk to bands who have established street teams.” Moderator is Mark Curdo, WCYY/Labor Day Records. This event is free to PMF members. SPACE Gallery. Sign up at SPACE or at www.portlandmusicfoundation.org

Lecture by Jenny Holzer on light projections 6 p.m. Jenny Holzer has used light projections, paintings, and text to question contemporary culture for more than 30 years. Join us for a very special lecture and a one-time-only site-speciﬁc projection created by this world-renowned artist for the Portland Museum of Art. Free admission. Doors at 5:30 p.m. Holiday Inn By the Bay; Light Projection For Portland, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., on the front of the museum. www.portlandmuseum.org

Hannah Herzsprung (left) stars as Richardis von Stade and Barbara Sukowa (right) as Hildegard von Bingen in the ﬁlm, “Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen,” playing in the Movies at the Museum series at the Portland Museum of Art. (COURTESY IMAGE) small business nationwide. SCORE has 389 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with over 11,000 volunteers nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

‘The Gift Of The Magi’ 7 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 7730333. oldportplayhouse.com

Bomb Diggity ‘TV Show’ 7:30 p.m. Bomb Diggity Bakery, based at Local Sprouts on Congress Street, will present their recently crafted ﬁrst episode of “TV Show.” Come see a surﬁng monkey, a dancing pineapple, Yoda bake a delicious chocolate cake, a music video, a documentary show and so very much more. The 30-minute screening with be followed by a brief performance by the artists involved. At the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center. Tickets are $10. “Bomb Diggity Baking and Arts Program provides a stepping-stone for individuals with intellectual disabilities who are ready to grow. The organization supports an individual’s personal development, self-expression, social growth and increased cultural awareness through baking, creativity and the arts, introducing a healthy ‘green’ lifestyle through gardening and agricultural experience, exposure to and participation in live performance as well as through daily community interaction.” Tickets for the event are available through www.stlawrentarts.org. For more information on Bomb Diggity visit their website at: www.momentumme.com/bomb_diggity.htm. For more information on Bomb Diggity’s TV Show please visit their blog site at: http://portlandtvshow.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 8 Eggs & Issues with Roxanne Quimby 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Eggs & Issues by the Portland Regional Chamber at Holiday Inn By the Bay. “Creative, As Usual: Roxanne Quimby, former CEO of Burt’s Bees has created The Quimby Colony, a nonproﬁt urban artist-in-residence program specializing in both fashion/costume/textile design and the culinary arts located in the former Roma Restaurant building at 769 Congress St. Roxanne will describe how this venture can help Portland fulﬁll a vision of itself as a creative, artistic community and a destination for artists and their patrons. She will also discuss the creative economy and its role in our community and the need for jobs to help the economy make a turn for the better.” This was rescheduled from September.

Portland SCORE annual holiday luncheon noon. Portland SCORE will hold its annual holiday luncheon at the Woodlands Club in Falmouth. The featured speaker will be member Steve Edmondson, describing his 2010 solo sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Portland SCORE’s parent agency is a nonproﬁt organization dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of

Snow Train at SPACE 5 p.m. Join SPACE Gallery for Snow Train, a reprise of holiday shopping and cheer presented in conjunction with Portland’s Downtown District and Buy Local’s neighborhood John Greenleaf Whittier’s shopping night, Think Outside “Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl,” the Box. Browse a selection written in 1865, will be read at of vintage threads, handmade the St. Lawrence Arts Centerat wear-ables and the ﬁnest sal3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. vaged and sewn goods that (COURTESY IMAGE) will deﬁnitely inspire warmth and nostalgia in your soul. Snag something for that special someone that will surely be cherished for decades. “DJ Sandmand (of Sounds Absurd) will provide us with a rare mix of Soul Train and old Pop/Surf with secret nostalgic and wacky holiday surprises! We’ll be sipping some winter cocktails and hopping on the snow train, so come on out!” www.space538.org

rbpa.org. Cost is $25 (members and non-members) with advanced reservations; $35 at the door. Tropical attire (Hawaiian shirts and ﬂipﬂops?) is encouraged.”

Thursday, Dec. 9 Toys for Tots fundraiser in Biddeford 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Biddeford/Saco Chambe and Smith Elliott present a Toys for Tots fundraiser. Christmas party, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; price of admission is a toy.

Sesame Street Live 7 p.m. Sesame Street Live “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo and Friends” Dec. 9 to Dec. 12, in the Cumberland County Civic Center. Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. (Opening Night Tickets $10 excludes Sunny and Gold Circle Seats); Friday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $50 (Sunny Seats — front row and includes a meet and greet with two Sesame Friends), $20 (Gold Circle), $15, $12 and $10. Special Kids Show — $7 for Day Care and School Groups of 10 plus (excludes Sunny and Gold Circle seats).

Audition workshop

Independence for South Sudan rally

3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine audition workshop. “Are you planning to audition for a performance? Our audition workshop is back by popular demand! Come to this friendly, free workshop to learn more about choosing a monologue and developing the conﬁdence it takes to have a really great audition.” The workshop is free; pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register call 828-1234 x247 or email reba@kitetails.org.

noon to 2 p.m. The Sudanese Community Association of Maine announces a rally for peace in Sudan in support of the referendum for independence for South Sudan. The rally is in Monument Square, Portland. The Sudanese Community Association of Maine, in association with Fur Cultural Revival (a Darfur community organization) will present a rally for peace in Sudan in support of the January referendum for independence for South Sudan. If the weather is bad, the rain date will be Friday, Dec. 10, also from noon until 2 p.m. Supporters of this referendum are encouraged to meet in Monument Square to show their support. Sudanese community leaders will be among the guest speakers. “For decades, the people from southern and central Sudan have been victimized by the criminal government of President Al-Bashir, who has used the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed militia to attack these innocent people. Although Al-Bashir is now wanted for war crimes, the genocide, rape, and dislocation of tribes continues. Millions of Sudanese are now refugees in Chad, other neighboring countries, and the United States. Southern Maine boasts the largest organized Sudanese refugee community in the United States. On Jan. 9, 2011, the people of South Sudan will vote on a referendum for independence. This will separate the southern part of Sudan from Al-Bashir and the North, creating a new, independent country in the South. This is a ﬁrst step to end the genocide of the people of Darfur, the people of Nuba mountain, and the people of the Blue Nile.” For further information, contact Mariano at 239-6772, Ben at 210-2819, or El-Fadel at 221-5197. see next page

RBPA hosts ‘Luau Time’ at holiday dinner, auction 5:30 p.m. It’s the holidays with a tropical theme at Portland’s Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring Street, for the Rainbow Business & Professional Association’s 14th annual scholarship auction. RBPA, Maine’s gay and lesbian business and professional networking group, plans an evening that supports scholarships given each spring to students who have promoted diversity in their schools and communities. “Informal networking, a silent auction and cocktails/appetizers will begin at 5:30 p.m. A buffet dinner and live auction get underway at 7. RBPA president Susan Eldridge calls the auction the organization’s premier event of the year. “This is the time of the year when members of our community really show their generosity. Not to mention our ability to party.” Items on the auction block include weekend getaways, gift baskets, artwork, tickets for concerts and sporting events, professional services, restaurant gift certiﬁcates and even a sightseeing plane ride. “This is the time of the year when members of our community really show their generosity,” she says. “Not to mention our ability to party.” Reservations can be made by calling 775-0077 or e-mailing rsvp@

Page 14 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVENTS CALENDAR––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from preceding page

sored through the Alternative Gift Market.” The event will be held in the Campus Center at SMCC (2 Fort Road in South Portland) on Friday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact Ryan Bouchard at 741-5663 or rbouchard@smccme.edu.

Portland photographer Lauren Chase Sheffield featured in open house in Cape Elizabeth 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A community open house, featuring the works of Portland photographer Lauren Chase Sheffield, will be held at Paula Banks Consulting and Two Lights Home Care in the Pond Cove Shopping Center in Cape Elizabeth. Sheffield, who owns Lola Studios in Portland, is displaying a variety of photos, including prints and photos on canvas, covering a variety of subjects — from pets to people to images of Brooklyn, where she lived for a while. Sheffield also is an activities director at Village Crossings assisted living residence in Cape Elizabeth, and includes some photos of senior residents in the exhibit. Her photos will be on display at the geriatric care management firm and home care business office through February. Please see www.lola-studios.com for more information.

Global Block Party at USM 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. University of Southern Maine’s Multicultural Student Association presents the third annual Global Block Party, Woodbury Campus Center, Portland campus. Free and open to the public, includes global entertainment, African drumming, Sudanese and Rwandan dancers, belly dancers, Indian dancers, USM’s salsa dancers, 50/50 rafﬂe and food from Passage to India. For more information, or if you would like to be a performer or participate in the Global Fashions, please email Ben at benjamin.skillings@maine.edu.

‘Vision’ at Movies

Naturalist Marcia Wilson, photographer Mark Wilson and six live owls will be part of a talk about these unique birds at at the Museum Gilsland Farm on Saturday. (AP PHOTO) “Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen” at Portland Museum of ances by the tough beauties of Maine Roller Derby! www. Art as part of the Movies at the Museum series. myspace.com/genosrockclub/shows or go to the Facebook 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Art At Work productions at Portland Friday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.; page. Public Library, Rines Auditorium. Art At Work will present and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. “Hildegard von Bingen was an evening of two original performances — “Radio Calls” Screening of ‘Herb & Dorothy’ truly a woman ahead of her time. A visionary in every sense with Portland police officers and “The Weeping City” with 7:30 p.m. Part of SCOPE: SPACE’s Visual Arts Film Series, of the word, this famed 12th-century Benedictine nun was students from Portland High School. A facilitated diaSPACE Gallery at 538 Congress St. will screen “Herb & a Christian mystic, composer, philosopher, playwright, logue with officers, students and audience will follow the Dorothy.” Doors open at 7 p.m.; film at 7:30 p.m. “‘Herb poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist, and ecologiperformances. Forest City Times opens with “The Weep& Dorothy’ tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, cal activist. This film brings the story of this extraordinary ing City,” a production by Maine Inside Out with Portland a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who manwoman to life. In Vision, New German Cinema auteur MarHigh School students, exploring their relationship with aged to build one of the most important contemporary art garethe von Trotta (Marianne and Juliane, Rosa Luxemburg, the police. Forest City Times continues with Art At Work’s collections in history with very modest means. In the early Rosenstrasse) reunites with recurrent star Barbara Sukowa “Radio Calls,” a performance by Portland police officers 1960s, when very little attention was paid to Minimal(Zentropa, Berlin Alexanderplatz) to bring the story of this about their lives, work and interactions with Portland’s ist and Conceptual Art, Herb and Dorothy Vogel quietly extraordinary woman to life.” youth. The evening concludes with a facilitated dialogue began purchasing the works of unknown artists. Devoting Season of Light at the Planetarium with performers and audience that looks at where we all of Herb’s salary to purchase art they liked, and living 7 p.m. Season of Light: Southworth Planetarium’s annual are, where we want to be and how, together, we might on Dorothy’s paycheck alone, they continued collecting holiday show that explores the astronomy and history of head in that direction. Inspired by a performance of “The artworks guided by two rules: the piece had to be affordthe holiday season: from Christmas to Hannukah to the SolWeeping City” and Art At Work’s poetry and photograable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their one-bedstice. We also examine the “Star of Bethlehem.” Assuming phy projects with the police, Police Chief Craig asked Art room Manhattan apartment. Within these limitations, they it was a natural event, what might it have been? A superAt Work’s Director Marty Pottenger to write and direct proved themselves curatorial visionaries; most of those nova; a planetary conjunction or some other celestial event. a performance that communicated the police officers’ they supported and befriended went on to become worldSouthworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., Portland. Also perspective for local high schools. Radio Calls, written renowned artists. Their circle includes: Sol LeWitt, Christo Dec. 11-12. Check times at 780-4249. www.usm.maine. from interviews and workshops with police officers is the and Jeanne-Claude, Richard Tuttle, Chuck Close, Robert edu/planet result. For reservations, which are advised, call 874-8681. Mangold, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Lynda Benglis, Pat www.artatworkproject.us Steir, Robert Barry, Lucio Pozzi, and Lawrence Weiner.” ‘Listening In, Looking Out’ at Bates www.herbanddorothy.com or www.space538.org 7:30 p.m. Music improvised by schoolchildren from Japan Walker Memorial Library Holiday Open House and Lewiston forms the basis of a collaborative sound 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Friends of the Walker Memo‘Good Medicine’ at UMF and image project to be performed at Bates College in the rial Library in Westbrook are hosting their annual Holiday 7:30 p.m. University of Maine at Farmington will presOlin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St. “Listening In, Open House. The public is cordially invited to the Walker ent “Good Medicine,” a new play chronicling the expeLooking Out” is a project undertaken by Hiroya Miura, a Memorial Library for refreshments and festive holiday riences of a midwife at the turn of the century, written composer who directs the Bates College Orchestra, in colcheer in celebration of the season. Musical entertainment and directed by Jayne Decker, UMF instructor and artislaboration with Bates students (including one from Maine), will be provided by the Chopin Club. There will be a raffle tic director for the Sandy River Players. Performances in intermedia artist Peter Bussigel and percussionist Masaki drawing for three baskets filled with a variety of books UMF’s Alumni Theater are at 7:30 p.m., on Dec. 9, 10 and Endo, as well as the children, whose recorded musical and other items, ideal for gifts. The baskets are on display 11; and at 2 p.m., on Dec. 12. Admission is free and open efforts form part of the soundscape. Endo will perform at the library; proceeds in support of the Library. to the public, with donations to benefit Casa Materna — a during the presentation of the piece. For more information, Women’s Cooperative in Mulukuku, Nicaragua — grateSesame Street Live please contact 786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu. The comfully accepted at the door. For more information on Casa 7 p.m. Sesame Street Live “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo and position of the piece is based on a game, often associated Materna, visit http://www.casamaterna.org/. Friends” comes to the Cumberland County Civic Center. with the Dadaist art movement of the early 20th century, in Dec. 9 to Dec. 12. Opening night tickets $10 excludes Keystone Reading Series at Local Sprouts which each member of a team adds a piece, in turn, to the Sunny and Gold Circle seats); Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 7 8 p.m. Keystone Reading Series at Local Sprouts Cafe creation of a work. For “Listening In, Looking Out,” Miura, p.m.; Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 on Congress Street. A new monthly series, poets: Nylah Mussigel and the Bates students conducted improvisation p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $50 (Sunny Seats — front row Lyman, Shanna Miller McNair and Megan Grumbling. Any workshops this year with children in Sendai, Japan (where and includes a meet and greet with two Sesame Friends), questions can be directed to Kevin at kstjarre@hotmail.com an earlier edition of the piece was premiered in 2009), and $20 (Gold Circle), $15, $12 & $10. www.theciviccenter. at Lewiston’s Farwell Elementary School. The workshops com/events are designed to get children to improvise simple musical Friday, Dec. 10 instruments from everyday objects. Recordings from the Awesome Town presents: Coats workshops were edited by the Bates students to create a Alternative Gift Market and Fair-Trade Craft Fair and Cans For The Community sound and image composition. The Bates students taking 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Center for Student Involvement and 7 p.m. A one-night only extravaganza to gather food, coats part are two juniors, Abigael Merson of Falmouth and Jack Leadership at Southern Maine Community College hosts and funds for Portland’s Salvation Army. For $5 (only $3 Schneider of Tacoma Park, Md.; and Alex Koster, a senior the Alternative Gift Market and Fair-Trade Craft Fair on Dec. if you bring a gently used coat or a can of food) you can from Pound Ridge, N.Y. 10 and 11. “Every holiday season, the Center for Student enjoy The Hot Tarts, Sun Gods in Exile, the premiere of Spi-

Art At Work performances about police, youth

derhearts featuring the legendary Boo and Vik44, DJ King Alberto and a performance by the ever sexy, one of a kind, Atomic Trash. MC’d by Boo and The Fuge! Geno’s Rock Club. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on all kinds of iitems in a silent auction. There will be everything from one of a kind local art to a motorcycle seat to WWE garb! A raffle will feature anything from a gift certificate to a local restaurant to a gift certificate for an hourlong tattoo session from Hollowed Ground and everything in between! With drawings every hour, there will be tons of chances to win. Appear-

Involvement and Leadership at Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) hosts the Alternative Gift Market and Fair-Trade Craft Fair. The Alternative Gift Market provides holiday shoppers the chance to exemplify the true meaning of giving by purchasing life sustaining gifts, like food, medicine, education, in honor of friends, relatives and associates. The market will also include a Fair Trade Craft Sale with hand-made crafts from all over the world (proceeds of which beneﬁt craft-makers from developing nations), baked goods, and displays representing the projects spon-

Magic of Christmas

7:30 p.m. Magic of Christmas concert. Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium. “Join Robert Moody and special guests for what critics and audiences are calling Maine’s ﬁnest holiday extravaganza. Celebrate the traditions, story and spirit of the season — experience the Magic for yourself!” Portland Symphony Orchestra. Through Dec. 19. www.portlandsymphony.org/content/?performance=magic-of-christmas see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010— Page 15

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from preceding page

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Old Port Playhouse 8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s-era radio broadcast, directed by Whitney Smith, at Old Port Playhouse. It runs Dec. 3-19. Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Box Ofﬁce, 773-0333, http://oldportplayhouse.com

Saturday, Dec. 11 Designing Women show 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Designing Women, a nonprofit volunteer corporation that works directly with organizations that benefit women and girls in local communities, will hold their last of only two Portland shows this year at Woodford’s Church, located at 202 Woodford St., Portland. “Over 20 female artists and craftwomen will be on hand to display their high quality and beautifully handcrafted pottery, handbags, glasswork, handwoven clothing and accessories, home accents, stained glass, and sculptural ceramic art. Items will range in size and price. The suggested $2 door donation and all lunch/refreshment proceeds will be donated to Partners for Rural Health in the Dominican Republic. Attending this show is a great way to complete your Holiday shopping list, support local artisans and benefit a wonderful community cause!” For additional information regarding Designing Women’s upcoming show, please visit Designing Women’s homepage at http://designingwomen.org

Eyes on Owls at Gilsland Farm 9:30 a.m. Join naturalist Marcia Wilson, photographer Mark Wilson, and six live owls for an event devoted to owls. The program includes a slideshow introduction to owls of New England and beyond, a hooting lesson, tips on ﬁnding owls without disturbing them, and an opportunity to see seven live owls. We will have intimate looks at those species native to the region and beyond — everything from the diminutive saw-whet owl to the giant eagle-owl. The two abbreviated morning sessions are focused for young children (ages 2 and up). 9:30-10:15 a.m., 11-11:45 a.m., 1:30-2:45 p.m., or 4-5:15 p.m. Gilsland Farm, Falmouth, members: $10/adult, $5/child; nonmembers: $15/adult, $10/child. Advance registration necessary. http://habitat.maineaudubon.org/articles/Eyes-on-Owls/576/

Saco Spirit ‘Stuff the Trolley’ for Toys for Tots 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Saco, Rotary Brunch Buffet, $10 donation or toy donation/per person.

Haitian Art Show to benefit Konbit Sonte 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Haitian Art Show to benefit Konbit Sonte at St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St. “Konbit Sonte is a a Maine nonprofit that provides medical assistance to Haiti. There will be snacks, a photo display, and an assortment of art that is reasonably priced for holiday giving or personal enjoyment. Volunteers and staff from Konbit Sante have been working to strengthen the health system in the north of Haiti for nearly a decade. Since the earthquake in January, their work has become more familiar to many of us as it has taken on increased urgency and gained greater recognition here in Maine. The fact is, teams from Konbit Sante have been in Haiti nearly non-stop since January. Currently Konbit Sante is engaged in managing the devastating impact of a cholera outbreak. From public education to water chlorination resources, from rehydration salts to hospital intervention, Haitian and Maine staff and volunteers are on the ground supporting the stretched and under-resourced health system.” Sponsored by Friends of Konbit Sante, Coffee By Design, The St. Lawrence Arts Center and others.

Planet Dog’s ‘Sit With Santa’ 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Planet Dog Company Store is hosting its sixth annual “Sit With Santa” event. The popular annual fundraiser helps the Planet Dog Foundation support canine service organizations. Kids and dogs are invited to have their photos taken with Santa. All proceeds will be donated to the Planet Dog Foundation which supports canine service programs in Maine and across the nation. A photographer will be taking the photos and a box of “costumes” will be provided for interested dogs (antlers, etc.). Free refreshments for the kids and dogs will also be provided (cider, cookies, dog treats and water). Planet Dog Company Store, 211 Marginal Way, Portland. The cost is $10 for a sitting with Santa. One image will be provided at the event and others will be available to download later. www.planetdogfoundation.org

EVENTS CALENDAR ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

information, call 828-1234 x247 or email reba@kitetails.org.

Animal Welfare Society open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Open House at the Animal Welfare Society on Holland Road in West Kennebunk. Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa, light refreshments, rafﬂes, crafts and AWS Gift Certiﬁcates for sale. Children’s Program from 10 a.m. to noon. AWS alumni receive a gift.

Event at the Kennel Shop in Sanford 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join the Animal Welfare Society adoptable canines and their Holiday Elves as they celebrate the season at The Kennel Shop in Sanford. The Kennel Shop provides this donation drive to beneﬁt local shelters.

Peaks Island book signings 11 a.m. Two book signings, two books, on Peaks Island: “For the Love of Peaks — Island Portraits & Stories: A Collection” by Fran Houston and “A Glimpse of Old Peaks Island: Through Rose-Colored Glasses” by Alice Boyce, Eunice Curran, Ellin Gallant, Reta Morrill and Joyce O’Brien. Peaks Café will host the ﬁrst on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Gem Gallery will host the second on Dec. 18 from 2.30 p.m. until 5 p.m., featuring music by Ronda Dale and Kevin Attra. A check will be presented to Peaks Island Tax Assistance for 10 percent of the gross sales this year for “For the Love of Peaks.” FMI contact fran_houston@hotmail.com, other info at www.fortheloveofpeaks.com, www. facebook.com/fortheloveofpeaks

Julie Michalak book signing in Augusta 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Barnes and Noble, 9 Market Place Dr., Augusta, will feature Julie Michalak, a resident of Lexington, N.C., who will be available to sign copies of her Christian romance and suspense novel, “Two For Charlie.” For more information, contact Jim Miller at 888-361-9473 or jim@ tatepublishing.com

False Documents & Other Illusions by Judy Cutler 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Gallery talk at the Portland Museum of Art. Join Museum Docent Judy Cutler for a gallery talk about the exhibition False Documents & Other Illusions. Free with museum admission. www.portlandmuseum.org

‘The Gift Of The Magi’ 2 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 7730333. oldportplayhouse.com

Church Pot Luck Supper 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Washington Gardens Community Hall. Put on by the Church of All God’s Children, 66 Churchill St, Portland. Cost $4.

Maine Academy of Modern Music Launch Party with River Tree Arts in Kennebunk 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. River Tree Arts will present the Maine Academy of Modern Music Launch Party at the Kennebunk Town Hal. In collaboration with River Tree Arts, MAMM will begin introducing after-school music education programs to the Kennebunk communities in January 2011. The two nonproﬁt organizations will be celebrating their new programs by hosting this free all-ages rock show which will feature performances by MAMM bands and Maine’s own Paranoid Social Club, founded by Dave Gutter, front man of the Portland based band, The Rustic Overtones. “MAMM is a nonproﬁt organization devoted to creating positive life experiences for youth through innovative and inclusive music education programs that promote resiliency, selfexpression, creativity and self-determination. MAMM is Maine’s own little ‘school of rock’ offering private lessons, rock ensembles, vacation rock camps, a concert series and providing after school programming in partnership with a number of organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Breakwater School, Learning Works and most recently, River Tree Arts. For more details, visit www.rivertreearts.org, www.maineacademyofmodernmusic.org.

Home for Christmas at Anthony’s 7 p.m. Many of Anthony’s Alumni singing a wide selection of Christmas songs and standards. Special six-course Christmas dinner, $39.95 and 1/2 price for children under 10. www.anthonysdinnertheater.com

Open Mic and Poetry Slam in Auburn 7:15 p.m. The Pleasant Note Coffeehouse presents the Open Mic and Poetry Slam. This unique event has been held monthly at 7:15 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of Auburn for almost ﬁve year running at 169 Pleasant Str. Admission is free: parking, refreshments and children’s room are available. Accessible. FMI 783-0461.

‘James & the Giant Peach’ auditions

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Old Port Playhouse

10 a.m. to noon. Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is looking for actors between the ages of 8 and 17 to be part of a winter production of “James & the Giant Peach.” If you’d like to be part of the production, prepare a short monologue to perform for the audition. Be ready to do some improvisation and stay for the entire audition time. For more

8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s-era radio broadcast, directed by Whitney Smith, at Old Port Playhouse. It runs Dec. 3-19. Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Box Ofﬁce, 773-0333, http://oldportplayhouse.com

Paula Poundstone at One Longfellow 10 p.m. One Longfellow Square presents comedian Paula Poundstone. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula’s ability to create humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend. Little wonder people leave Paula’s shows debating whether the random people she talked to were “plants” — which, of course they never are, and complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter. Tickets: $40. Call: 761-1757 visit: www.onelongfellowsquare.com

Sunday, Dec. 12 ‘Immigration Today: Myths Vs. Reality’ 1 p.m. Beth Stickney, co-founder and executive director of the Immigration Legal Aid Project, will speak on “Immigration Today: Myths Vs. Reality.” Her talk will be held at Allen Ave. Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Ave., Portland. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Reading of Whittier’s ‘Snow-Bound’ 3 p.m. “Snow-Bound” read by Michael Maglaras $15 A 100 percent beneﬁt for the St. Lawrence Arts Center, “SnowBound” captures a sense of a special time and place. It recounts a New England blizzard, from John Greenleaf Whittier’s childhood, that isolated the young poet and his family in their Haverhill home for nearlya week before a team of oxen could free them. As the fury of the blizzard rages outside, the family and their guests huddle before the great ﬁreplace knowing they will soon be cut off from the outside world. Inspired in this intimate setting, they begin, one by one, to open their hearts. Each person tells a story from his or her life, revealing a depth of experience and spirit, all seen through the eyes of Whittier as a 10-year-old boy, and remembered by him as a mature man, in this masterpiece of American literature. St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St.

84rd Annual Pageant of the Nativity 4:45 p.m. The First Parish in Portland, Unitarian Universalist, will present the 84rd Annual Pageant of the Nativity in the historic Meeting House at 425 Congress St., just off Monument Square in downtown Portland. “First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church has been staging its Pageant of the Nativity for 84 years now. The Pageant sports a cast of nearly 80 people, most of whom are adults, and many of whom have been in this pageant, in one role or another, for nearly all of their lives. There are no words spoken by the actors in this pageant. Indeed, the actors are never named. Rather the story of the Nativity is told in music and scripture while the actors, one by one, create a tableau in the candlelit sanctuary that is sculpted to replicate a Fra Angelico painting. Light bulbs in the 30 odd sconces in the church are replaced by candles and the scriptural ‘story’ of the birth of Jesus is read by the minister who is hidden off to the side and unseen by most of the audience. In addition, history is honored by the fact that some of the costumes have been created from fabrics brought back from Palestine by nieces of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Non-denominational in nature, this event makes no political or religious statement. Rather it uses a combination of music, historic text, and tradition to honor the birth of one of history’s great prophets.” For more information: 773-5747.

Benefit concert for Nuestras Raices (Our Roots) 6 p.m. There will be a benefit concert featuring the music of two well-known local musicians at Sacred Heart/St. Dominic’s Church, 80 Sherman Street, Portland promoting Friends of Nuestras Raices (Our Roots). Peruvian artist Sergio Espinoza of the group Inkas Wasi and the Afro-Cuban ensemble Grupo Esperanza will entertain with a medley of Cuban salsa and traditional Peruvian music. Nuestras Raices is a group that empowers neighborhood youth through dance, art, and music programs in San Martin de Porres, one of the many poor barrios in Lima, Peru. These activities engage children in celebrating their indigenous culture, with the goals of preventing alcohol use, gang participation and prostitution. “This benefit in Maine will insure that the children can continue participating in these programs”, says Portland resident Maria Sanchez. Sanchez grew up in San Martin and is passionate about supporting the good works of Nuestras Raices in her old neighborhood in Peru. Sanchez, “Through our desire to send support to Peru, we are also creating cross-cultural community here in Maine.” Traditional Peruvian and Mexican food including tamales, empanadas and flan will be for sale, as well as the creations of local artists and a silent auction. The concert is co-sponsored by Peace Action Maine, Tengo Voz, El Centro Latino, Art Exchange for Just Peace, Pacha Works and Tu Casa Salvadorean Restaurant.

‘A Very Ida Christmas’ 7 p.m. “A Very Ida Christmas” starring Maine Humorist Susan Poulin. One Night Only, Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. All seats $20. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Page 16 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Peaks Island revisiting secession SECESSION from page one

advocates of independence admit that much of the campaigning focused on having a “final” election. By going the route of directly re-submitting the measure that passed before, the new council, which includes several secession activists, in effect would jump-start the issue of leaving the city. The new council was barely created by a writein election, as Eric Eaton led the ballot with four votes, and three votes each went to both Sid Gerard and Rusty Foster. While the city has not confirmed a number, The Daily Sun has learned that election officials say about 100 votes were thrown out because of technical errors — like failing to include an address along with the The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” is Peaks Island Council’s theme song for an write-in vote. upcoming straw vote on secession. The artwork on their Facebook page (above) is equally The election came amid provocative. speculation that the group, created to advise might simply disband. All not to run amid heated allegathe city council after the secesthe previous members either tions that mainland officials sion bill stalled in Augusta, resigned in protest or decided were ignoring their advice.

Michael Tobin, artistic director at Old Port Playhouse, works on a set for a recent production. (DAVID CARKHUFF FILE PHOTO)

Old Port Playhouse tunes up performance schedule PLAYHOUSE from page 12

“We know it’s a busy season,” he said, adding that offering a series of productions will give people that many more chances to catch a show. The other programs, also starting soon (check calendar listings for times and shows), include the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” done as a live, 1940s radio program; “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” a production of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” performed by the Timepiece Theatre Company... and the return of Susan Poulin with “A Very IDA Christmas.” And the other part of the holiday strategy was to continue into the new year, with a “Kid’s New Year’s Eve” event on Dec. 31 and the debut of a new afterschool program. Pausing to field questions last week while also cleaning a bathroom and changing some light bulbs, Tobin said that he’ll be able to relax — a bit — after tonight’s premier. “But,” he added, “I have to stay focused.”