The Portland Daily Sun, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Obama fails to respect medical marijuana laws

Experiments in spring eating

A roving adventure by a fearless hospitality worker

See Jacob Sullum on page 4

See Maggie Knowles on page 5

See Natalie Ladd’s column on page 9

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

VOL. 3 NO. 70

PORTLAND, ME

PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER

699-5801

FREE

Asbestos removal starts Monday at Adams School Neighborhood meeting set for housing project

BY DAVID CARKHUFF THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Neighbors are eager to see the old Adams Community School building demolished, according to developers Avesta Housing. Asbestos removal begins Monday. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

The long-awaited $5.5 million conversion of the abandoned Adams School on Munjoy Hill into affordable housing finally gets off the drawing board and enters the asbestos removal phase Monday.

This Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shailer School Community Room, basement of 56 North St., neighbors can learn about the 16-unit Avesta affordable housing devel-

School budget on the ballot RIGHT: Elections clerk Kate McCarty assists a voter Tuesday in Portland’s school budget election at the East End Community School. BELOW: Aubrey Wyman, 5, waits at the East End Community School while his father, James, votes in the next booth in Portland’s school budget election. See our Facebook page for results of the election. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTOS)

opment at the former Adams Community School site.

Avesta’s demolition team as well as representatives of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the city of Portland will be on hand to present the project to residents and answer questions.

At least one neighbor is eager to see the demolition and construction completed.

“I think it’s a better use than what it is see SCHOOL page 8

City manager search entering final stages three and five finalists

BY CASEY CONLEY THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN would be chosen when the committee meets The search committoday at City Hall. tee charged with find“We will be meeting ing a replacement for on (Wednesday) with retired city manager the consultant in execuJoe Gray already has tive session, and at that settled on seven semipoint we will cull (the finalists, and could list of semi-finalists) name the finalists down and decide who within the next week, we want to recommend according to the comto the full city council,” mittee chair, Cheryl Leeman she said.

Leeman.

Gray, who was city manager Leeman, one of three city for 10 years, retired in February. councilors on the committee, said she expected between see SEARCH page 16

Old Port shop adds a little ‘pop’

BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Butter and salt might be time-tested popcorn standbys, but the owners of an Exchange Street shop are out to prove that the humble kernel can easily serve as the canvas for a range of new and interesting flavors.

New England Berry is a popular flavor Offering off-beat flavors at Coastal Maine Popcorn Co., featurfrom root beer and toffee to ing strawberry, raspberry and bluesee POPCORN page 7

SAVE ly SAVE 50% 50% D a i D e a l $10 for a $20 Voucher visit PORTLANDDAILYSUN.ME for this and other great offers

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berry flavors. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Page 2 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Emergency alert system expected for cellphones WASHINGTON (NY Times) — The emergency broadcast system is coming to cellphones.

Updating the national emergency alert system, federal officials planned to announce on Tuesday in Manhattan that some cellphone users in New York and Washington will soon be able to receive alerts by text message in the event of a national or regional emergency.

The service in those cities is scheduled to start late this year as a prelude to nationwide service next year, perhaps as early as April. To receive the alerts, users must have mobile phones with a special chip, which is currently included in some higher-end smartphones like the latest iPhones. The service will also require a software upgrade.

How quickly consumers are able to participate in the system depends on the rate of replacement of cellphones with the special chip and the software, officials said.

The emergency text messages will include alerts issued by the president, information about public safety threats and Amber Alerts for missing children. Text messages will be sent to customers of participating cellphone companies who are in an area affected by the emergency. Users can opt out of any of the alerts except the presidential messages.

The alerts are designed to mimic the familiar radio and TV broadcast alerts that for decades — accompanied by a shrill whistle and, in most instances, the message “This is only a test” — have advised Americans where to tune in for an emergency message.

Known as the Personal Localized Alerting Network, or PLAN, the new system will be a free service for people in New York and Washington who have enabled phones and are customers of Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile mobile phone systems.

“This new technology could become a lifeline for millions of Americans and is another tool that will strengthen our nation’s resilience against all hazards,” W. Craig Fugate, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said in a statement.

Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said the system was designed to minimize the ability of hackers or spammers to send fraudulent messages. The alerts could appear directly on a cellphone screen, for example, rather than appear as a text message notification, and would probably be accompanied by a special vibration or other kind of signal.

SAYWHAT...

“

Stay humble.

Always answer your phone - no matter who else is in the car.”

—Jack Lemmon

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

3DAYFORECAST Tomorrow High: 66 Low: 45 Sunrise: 5:22 a.m.

Sunset: 8 p.m.

Friday High: 67 Low: 48

Today High: 64 Record: 83 (1985) Sunrise: 5:23 a.m.

Tonight Low: 46 Record: 29 (1962) Sunset: 7:55 p.m.

THEMARKET DOW JONES 75.68 to 12,760.36 NASDAQ 28.64 to 2,871.89 S&P 10.87 to 1,357.16

LOTTERY#’S

THETIDES

DAILY NUMBERS Day 1-6-1 • 3-0-5-0 Evening 0-7-4 • 5-5-7-8

MORNING High: 5:32 a.m.

Low: 11:55 a.m.

4,452 U.S. military deaths in Iraq.

records are from 3/1/74 to present

EVENING High: 6:15 p.m.

Low: None -courtesy of www.maineboats.com

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

Japan scraps plans for new nuclear power plants

BY MARTIN FACKLER THE NEW YORK TIMES

TOKYO — Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tuesday that Japan would abandon plans to build new nuclear reactors, saying his country needed to “start from scratch” in creating a new energy policy.

Mr. Kan’s announcement came as Japan allowed residents of evacuated areas around the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to briefly revisit their homes for the first time since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March caused the nuclear accident.

Tuesday’s decision will abandon a plan that the Kan government released last year to build 14 more nuclear reactors by 2030 and increase the share of nuclear power in Japan’s electricity supply to 50 percent.

Japan currently has 54 reactors that before the earthquake produced 30 percent of its electricity.

The cancellation of the

planned nuclear plants is the second time that Mr. Kan has suddenly announced big changes in Japanese nuclear policy without the usual endless committee meetings and media leaks that characterize the country’s consensus-driven decision making. Mr. Kan appears to be seeking a stronger leadership role after criticism of his government’s sometimes Prime Minister Naoto Kan bowed to the Japanese national flag during a news conference at his slow and indecisive official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (Toru Hanai/Reuters/The New York Times). handling of the FukuMonday to shut down the plant While Japan has been a global shima accident. leader in energy conservation, until a new wave wall was built Last week, Mr. Kan asked it lags behind the United States and other measures could be a utility company to suspend taken to strengthen it against and Europe in adopting solar operations at the Hamaoka and wind power, and other new earthquakes and tsunamis. nuclear plant, which sits atop Mr. Kan said Japan would energy sources. an active earthquake fault “We need to start from retain nuclear and fossil fuels line, about 120 miles southscratch,” Mr. Kan told reportas energy sources, but vowed west of Tokyo. After three days ers. “We need to make nuclear to add two new pillars to of delays, the company, Chubu energy safer and do more to proJapan’s energy policy: renewable energy and conservation. mote renewable energy.”

Electric Power, finally agreed on

Obama seeks G.O.P. support on immigration Presbyterians

BY JACKIE CALMES AND MICHAEL D. SHEAR THE NEW YORK TIMES

EL PASO – President Obama came to this border city to argue that he is doing his part to crack down on illegal immigration, and that Republicans must now join him in a bipartisan effort to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws to deal with the millions of skilled and unskilled workers already here illegally.

His speech within sight of the Mexican border was heavy with political overtones for 2012 and beyond, as Mr. Obama sought to reassure increasingly frustrated Latino voters of his commitment to liberalizing immigration laws as a moral and economic imperative, and to blame “border security first” Republicans for his inability to deliver on that promise.

“We’ve answered those concerns” of Republicans, Mr. Obama said, citing the increase in the past two years in the number of agents, National Guard troops, border fencing, aerial surveillance and deportations of illegal immigrants. “We have gone above and beyond,” he added, but Republicans keep moving the goalposts – to the point, Mr. Obama joked, where they will next seek a moat and

alligators.

But Mr. Obama’s first visit to the Mexican border as president underscored a tension over his immigration record that colors his re-election prospects: His boasts of strengthening border security wins him no credit among Republicans and only alienates many Latino voters so long as he cannot deliver on his campaign promise to them – a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million of immigrants already here illegally.

Mr. Obama’s first stop was an inspection complex, one of the busiest of the 327 official ports of entry to the United States, for cargo, vehicles and even walkers entering from Ciudad Juarez, a sprawling city afflicted by Mexico’s drug wars. Then he spoke in a small national park of America’s heritage as a national of laws and immigrants, against a backdrop of American flags and – seen in the distance on a sunny day -a billowing 162-foot-by-93-foot Mexican flag across the Rio Grande.

Mr. Obama did not push such legislation in his first two years, when Democrats controlled Congress, and it has virtually no chance of passage now that Republicans have a House

majority. That leaves pro-immigration groups pushing for Mr. Obama to take executive actions at least.

In 2008, Mr. Obama got 67 percent of the Latino vote against John McCain and needs at least that much in 2012.

Latinos are a significant and fast-growing segment of the electorate in critical southern and western swing states like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and nearby New Mexico, which received news of the president’s visit here. And while Republicans have dominated Texas since the 1980s, Democrats’ hopes of regaining power one day – likely after 2012 -rest largely on its expanding Latino population.

Mr. McCain, as a senator from the border state of Arizona, had long supported the sort of legislation Mr. Obama wants – and former President George W. Bush, a Texan, unsuccessfully sought. But he changed course to win nomination in a Republican Party that has a vocal anti-immigrant constituency. Mr. McCain maintains his “border security first” stance in the Senate, where he has been a frequent critic of Mr. Obama’s border enforcement record.

set to approve gay ministers (New York Times) With a vote in Minneapolis, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is expected to pass a measure on Tuesday afternoon allowing openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons.

Although Presbyterians have been debating the issue since 1978, the news will most likely come as a surprise to many church members. Only two years ago, a majority of the church’s regions, known as presbyterys, voted against ordaining openly gay candidates.

This time, 19 of the church’s 173 presbyterys so far have switched their votes from no to yes. The Twin Cities presbytery, which covers the Minneapolis and St. Paul region, is expected to cast the deciding vote at its meeting on Tuesday.

The Rev. Heidi Vardeman, senior minister of Macalester Plymouth United Church, in St. Paul, said in an interview, “Finally, the denomination has seen the error of its ways and it will repent, which means, literally, to turn around.”

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 3

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Poll: Mainers concerned about economy, direction of government

BY CASEY CONLEY THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Most Mainers are pessimistic about the pace of economic recovery and the direction of state government, according to a new poll released yesterday by a Portland research firm.

The survey also suggests that Mainers are already feeling the squeeze from rising gas prices and would support bans on texting and talking on mobile phones while driving.

The so-called “Omnibus” poll, was conducted between April 25 and May 2 by Pan Atlantic SMS Group. The poll asked 401 registered voters a variety of questions about the economy, policy proposals and their consumer habits.

It has a margin of error of about 5 percent.

Patrick Murphy, president of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, said in an email that the company has taken similar surveys several times per year since the mid-1990s.

“We see it as a broad public policy and economic issues poll. We ask questions which are very relevant to current events or the economy in

Maine,” he said. “This is the 48th statewide Omnibus Poll we have conducted since 1996, where ... we track public opinion on issues over time.”

According to the poll, roughly 57 percent of Mainers believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, compared with just 29 percent who say it’s on the right track. A year ago, 51 percent of Mainers said the state was headed in the wrong direction, while 28 percent said it was moving in the right direction.

Poll results show that Democrats are more likely to believe the state is headed down the wrong path than Republicans (79 percent to 33 percent, respectively). Overall, 59 percent of Independents felt the same way.

However, roughly 55 percent of Republicans believe the state is on the right track.

Murphy attributes the negative trend on this question to continued economic uncertainty and the sluggish economy recovery.

“These numbers are trending worse than they were a year ago. Probably that is due to the fact that the overall recovery has been slow and the unemployment level has remained

MDOT outlines I-295 improvements Officials from the Maine Department of Transportation held a press conference yesterday to announce the start of a new rehabilitation project for Tukeys Bridge, on the northbound side of Interstate 295, and the four overpasses immediately north of the bridge. The contract for this project was recently awarded to CPM Constructors.

North of Portland, Pike Industries is involved with mill-and-fill work and guardrail and drainage updates in both north and southbound of I-295 from Falmouth to Freeport. This work is expected to be completed sometime in July.

As a continuation of MaineDOT’s schedule from last year, crews from Lane Construction are working on bridge and overpass repairs and repaving on I-295 southbound from Tukeys Bridge to the Fore River Bridge.

At the press conference, Joyce Taylor, Director of Project Development for MaineDOT, stressed the importance of planning, plus the cooperation of the public, in minimizing congestion.

“I want to assure motorists that we learned some lessons last year that drove the design of our work and our traffic plans this year,” Taylor said.

“We’ve made every effort to make it simpler for motorists to travel safely and efficiently through work zones.

“We know that there will be backups

in Portland during peak commuting times, most especially Friday evenings when tourists are trying to reach their destinations,” Taylor continued. “To be successful, we need the cooperation of motorists more than ever.”

Taylor suggested that local residents and businesses consider carpooling, seeking alternate routes, and modifying work hours in order to ease crowding on I-295.

David Sherlock, MaineDOT Bridge Program Director, noted “the improvements on I-295 in greater Portland represent an investment in infrastructure of nearly $24 million, and overall, our contractors tell us this means employment for 270 people.”

Drivers on I-295 are advised to pay close attention to signage connected with the repair work especially signs indicating reduced speed zones. For more information and to sign up for email alerts, please go to mainedot.gov.

This effort is part of a substantial I-295 repair and improvement project that will be ongoing through the fall of this year. Roadway and bridge repair work has been structured to minimize the impact on motorists, officials said.

MaineDOT appreciates the patience of all motorists during this construction period, and also asks motorists to drive safely through all work zones.

— Staff Report

stubbornly high (9% nationally) and are projected to remain so for at least another year,” he said.

On the economy, most Mainers believe the recovery won’t really take hold until 2012 at the earliest.

In all, 77 percent of respondents said an economic resurgence is at least a year away, with 59 percent saying it won’t take hold until beyond 2012.

Just 1.7 percent of respondents believe Maine has already emerged from the recession.

“Most Mainers do not believe that we have come out of recession despite national data showing economic growth over the past year,” Murphy said. “I was surprised at the high numbers who think this is the case.”

“The Maine economy has not had any significant job creation in the past year and thus the mood is less positive at least right now,” he added.

The survey showed that the number of Mainers using online banking has stabilized at about 46 percent, nearly doubling since 2007. Younger people and those making more than $75,000 per year were more likely to do their banking online.

On questions about public policy,

Mainers overwhelmingly supported restrictions on cell phone use while driving. Nearly 70 percent would support a ban on talking while driving, while 89 percent support a ban on texting while driving, the survey showed.

A law that would ban texting behind the wheel is under consideration this session by the Maine Legislature.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents would support a law requiring photo ID at the polls, and nearly 60 percent are opposed to a bill that would allow teens to work longer hours while school in session, the survey shows. More than 87 percent of respondents oppose a law that would allow the public to carry firearms in the State House.

Finally, the survey showed that high gas prices are already taking their toll on Maine drivers.

The poll showed that 43 percent of respondents planned to drive “a lot” less this summer in response to higher gas prices. Another 31 percent said they would drive “somewhat” less while 24 percent said the higher prices would have no effect on their driving habits

–––––––––––––––––––––––– COMMUNITY BRIEFS –––––––––––––––––––––––– Community has also been working with Presumpscot’s first grade and kindergarten classes to build and repair raised garden beds. During the 2011-2012 school year, Cultivating Community will support PrePortland Trails has awarded a sumpscot with a Foodcorps volunteer $1,500 Schoolground Greening Minito help the school use its garden as a Grant to Presumpscot Elementary teaching tool.

School in Portland for the school’s outThe volunteer also will help create door learning park and trail. a community/family greening team to The project is designed to create care for the grounds throughout the more outdoor learning spaces for the year. school and nearby community. The money will be used for improvements to the school grounds and gardens, including a pergola shade structure, more garden beds and improvements to the existing trail and East Deering Cemetery that abut the school The West End Neighborhood Assogrounds. ciation is seeking donations for its Presumpscot staff and students silent auction on May 21. The auction will be involved in all aspects of the is part of the second annual WestFest design and execution of the projCommunity Celebration, which will ect. The grant award includes 15 take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain hours of design work by landscape or shine. architect Sashie Misner as well as WENA has already received gen45 hours of support from Portland erous donations, but the greater the Trails staff. variety of items, the more fun and In addition to the Portland Trails productive the auction will be, accordgrant, Cumberland County Mastering to the group.

Gardeners has awarded PresumpIf you’d like to donate or for more scot $150 for the greening project. information, contact Rosanne Graef United Way Day of Caring volunteers at 879-6024 or Chip Martin at 4153877. will spread trail surfacing material You may also e-mail wendneighbordonated by New England Organics. hood@yahoo.com or rgraef@gwi.net The nonprofit group Cultivating

Presumpscot School receives grants for greening project

WENA seeking donations for silent auction

Page 4 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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

Obama breaks his promise to respect medical pot laws Two weeks ago, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire vetoed a bill that would have clarified the rules for supplying medical marijuana in her state. She cited an April 14 letter in which Jenny Durkan and Michael Ormsby, the U.S. attorneys for Washington, threatened to prosecute not only growers and providers but also “others who knowingly facilitate” their actions, including landlords, financiers, and even state employees who license and regulate medical marijuana suppliers.

U.S. attorneys in Arizona, ––––– California, Colorado, Hawaii, Creators Montana, Rhode Island and Syndicate Vermont have sent similar letters in recent months, discouraging some jurisdictions from proceeding with plans to establish licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.

These threats, which are backed by the Justice Department, kill any lingering hopes that President Obama would keep his campaign promise to respect the medical marijuana laws that have been enacted in 15 states and the District of Columbia.

During his presidential campaign, Obama repeatedly said he would call off the Drug Enforcement Administration’s raids on both medical marijuana users and their suppliers. In a March 2008 interview with Southern Oregon’s Mail Tribune, he said, “I’m not going to be using Justice Department resources to try to circumvent state laws on this issue.” Two weeks after Obama took office, a White House spokesman reiterated that position, saying, “The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws.”

In October 2009, David Ogden, then the deputy attorney general, sent a memo that seemed to fulfill this promise. “As a general matter,” he told U.S. attorneys, they “should not focus federal resources” on “individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana.”

Yet the DEA’s medical marijuana raids not only have continued but are more frequent under Obama than they were under George W. Bush. Americans for

Jacob Sullum

see SULLUM page 5

Portland’s FREE DAILY Newspaper David Carkhuff, Editor Casey Conley, City Editor Matt Dodge Reporter Founding Editor Curtis Robinson THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN is published Tuesday through Saturday by Portland News Club, LLC. Mark Guerringue, Adam Hirshan, Curtis Robinson Founders Offices: 181 State Street, Portland ME 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: 15,100 daily distributed Tuesday through Saturday FREE throughout Portland by Jeff Spofford, jspofford@maine.rr.com

High oil prices could force a transformation of the nation’s automotive fleet toward hybrid and battery-powered cars. (Patrick Kyle/New York Times)

Electric Avenue The American response and electric motors. to rising gas prices has The process has been depressingly prealready begun. Last dictable. We’re shocked to December, the first see prices top $4 a gallon, mass-produced elecas if it’s never happened tric vehicles of the before. We demand that 21st century — the something be done — not Chevrolet Volt, which to reduce our dependence runs on battery power on oil, but to cut the cost of for up to 50 miles a fill-up. Fortunately the before a backup gasoWhite House is standing line engine kicks in, ––––– behind a goal that could and the Nissan Leaf, The New York genuinely transform the a purely battery-powTimes nation’s automotive fleet: ered five-passenger putting one million elechatchback — began tric vehicles on the road by 2015. shipping to customers. Tesla The plan is ambitious, but Motors has been selling small it’s more realistic than its critnumbers of expensive electric ics maintain. Some argue that sports cars since 2008. Ford will because batteries can’t yet soon come out with a plug-in propel a full-size car 500 miles model of its own, and Toyota will on the highway and recharge release a plug-in version of the in a few minutes, we should Prius hybrid. (The current Prius give up and focus on squeezing can only run gas-free for short better mileage out of existing stretches and at low speeds.) technology.

Purely electric cars like the But many of the electric Leaf never consume gasoline; vehicles that will count toward plug-in hybrids like the Volt President Obama’s goal won’t can run primarily on electricity. run on electricity alone. They Department of Transportation will combine batteries, elecstatistics show that 78 percent tric motors and internal-comof Americans commute 40 miles bustion engines to use as little or fewer a day, so most people gasoline as possible while still who drive a Volt won’t need to doing everything Americans burn any gas on a normal day. expect their cars to do. ElectriWhen cars like these are fication is not an all-or-nothing being driven on a large scale, proposition — it’s a process, the the benefits will be substantial. gradual replacement of gasThe Electrification Coalition, an burning engines with batteries electric-vehicle advocacy group,

Seth Fletcher

estimates that if, by 2040, 75 percent of all miles driven in the United States are powered by electricity, oil consumption by light-duty vehicles will drop from the current level of nearly nine million barrels a day to two million. But getting there will require a mass rollout of these cars, and it will take government assistance to make that happen.

The Obama administration already supports incentives to encourage drivers to buy electric cars, and it has devoted $2.4 billion in stimulus money to the development of a domestic electric-car industry. The president’s 2012 budget request increases financing for battery research and proposes good ideas for accelerating the spread of electric vehicles, including the transformation of the existing $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of a plug-in vehicle into a point-of-sale rebate, which would give buyers their refund immediately rather than at tax time.

These investments may be too much to expect from a Congress that can barely keep the government running. At the very least, however, President Obama and the Senate must resist pressure to gut renewable energy programs in the name of reducing the deficit — an urge see FLETCHER page 5

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 5

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OPINION ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Experiments in spring eating In New England, May is our second chance at the New Year’s Resolution to get into shape. As soon as the mercury goes above 45 degrees and the march of the pale legs begins, people start cramming in jumping jacks and eating arugula before beach season strikes.

Sadly, muffin tops don’t respond well to a quickie diet-by-deprivation or by just taking the stairs; they are as stubborn as a toddler who wants cookie dough for breakfast.

Our ancient mind reads “I am only eating celery until Labor Day” as “guess there is no more wild boar so I’ll clamp onto every calorie as if it is our last. We have a long ice age ahead of us.” Biology equals no movement on the scale.

Humans, being the creatures of lazy decadence that we are, do not respond well to being told they can’t have something whether it be nachos or cheap oil. That is why diets that force you to withhold your favorite food ultimately find you hiding in the closet with a bag of M and M’s strapped to your face. Ask me how I know.

However, there is a way to stay in great shape no matter the season and with very little effort. It is the Don’t Think About It Diet.

The first step is to admit that there is a higher power that is controlling you: The advertising world. If you watch TV, read magazines and smell fast food on every corner, you are set up to fail. Advertisers act like they are

Maggie Knowles ––––– Use Your Outdoor Voice your BFF, intimately knowing what you need (coffee, cookies, tequila) to make it through a tough day.

This “come on, you know you want to” attitude is the ultimate peer pressure. They get rich. You get fat. Realize that you have to be in control of your habits. Don’t give any (serious) thought to the ads or smells you encounter.

Next, you have to confront your “mindless eating.” Brian Wansink, director of Cornell’s Food and Brand Lab, wrote “Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think.” He finds we make over 200 food-related decisions a day, most of them without even a second of thought. For example, if there is a bowl of chocolates at work, how many times do you pass that bowl and eat one without even really considering unwrapping it, the explosion of taste during that first bite … do you savor it? No, you shove the whole thing in, gulp, and put more thought into the fax machine. You aren’t even enjoying this experience.

It has become a mindless habit.

Try an experiment with your kids.

Today, set out a bowl of a typical,

unhealthy snack while they are playing or (more likely) watching TV. Their fingers will seek out the food and like robots they will eat the whole bowl without realizing it. The next day, slip them a bowl of grapes. The same thing will happen. They will mindlessly eat the whole thing.

Play these tricks on yourself. Is it better to eat a whole bowl of greasy chips, pretzels or better yet, carrots? If you are so detached from your snacking anyway, might as well be making it healthy. Of course, this means you can’t have the crap in your house. Just don’t buy it. It is easier to walk to the freezer and mindlessly eat sherbet from the carton than to thoughtfully get dressed, find the keys and money, drive to the store and buy some.

Chances are, your laziness will override the craving for it.

It is because of this mindless eating that you aren’t at your fighting weight.

You think, “But I don’t eat cheeseburgers all day, I don’t understand why I keep gaining.”

It is the little stuff that ads up — the stuff you don’t notice until you can’t zip your jeans. Just mindlessly consuming an extra ten calories a day — just three Altoids — will add up to a pound a year. Jump ahead to nine seemingly innocent Altoids a day five years from now — that is a whopping fifteen pounds of fresh breath.

Make baby changes that won’t deprive you. Don’t give up your favorite things — just alter them. Switch

from cream to low fat milk in your coffee, only eat half a bagel for breakfast, drop that afternoon soda for flavored seltzer, swap out the candy bowl at work with pistachios. Little changes, only about 140 calories a day, will add up to NOT gaining fourteen pounds a year. Wansink says that you can eat 20 percent less a day without noticing it or feeling deprived; he calls it the “mindless margin.” And it is here where that muffin top will melt away.

Final tips for success on Don’t Think About It Diet: don’t eat while multitasking or watching TV. You not only get bombarded with ads for pizza and sweet buns but you are not aware of how much you are eating.

Don’t hide healthy food like your thighs in January. Keep the fresh produce out on the counter where you are most likely to see it and eat it.

Sleep more! You can’t eat if you are sleeping.

If you do want a sweet treat, make it from scratch with your kids. At least you can be in control of what you are putting in the mixing bowl.

And finally, if you have no willpower, you can resort to the Windex Special. Eat three bites of cake, then spray the rest with Windex. As far as I know, glass cleaner has yet to be marketed as a calorie burner. At least not yet.

(Maggie Knowles is a columnist for The Portland Daily Sun. Her column appears Wednesdays.)

Feds’ attack on medical dispensaries hurts the sick SULLUM from page 4

Safe Access (ASA), which argues that patients who can benefit from marijuana should be able to obtain it legally, counts well over 100 raids in the two years and four months since Obama’s inauguration, compared to about 200 during Bush’s eight years in office.

“The Obama administration really is being more aggressive than the administration of his predecessor,” says ASA spokesman Kris Hermes.

At first, it seemed the DEA was targeting growers and sellers who arguably were not “in clear and unambiguous compliance” with state law, since the rules for supplying medical marijuana were fuzzy in jurisdictions such as California, Colorado and Montana. But the U.S. attorney letters conclusively show that, contrary to the impression left by the Ogden

memo, complying with state law provides no protection against federal prosecution.

Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler insists there is “no inconsistency” between the recent threats and the Ogden memo, which she says “talks about not investigating sick individuals who might be in compliance with state law.” Actually, the memo refers not to “sick individuals” but to “individuals” generally, and it cites as examples not only patients but “caregivers” who supply them with marijuana.

In any case, the Justice Department’s distinction between patients and suppliers cannot be reconciled with Attorney General Eric Holder’s description of the new policy. “The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and state law,” he said in March 2009. “Our focus will be on people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial

amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that’s inconsistent with federal and state law.”

The new gloss on the Ogden memo, notes Hermes, is “exactly the same as what Bush said for years: ‘We’re not targeting patients.’ There is no change.”

The problem, of course, is that most of the “sick individuals” the Obama administration claims to be sparing are not up to the task of growing their own marijuana. When DEA raids or threats to landlords shut down dispensaries, Hermes notes, “patients wake up the next morning wondering where they’re going to find their medication.” Obama’s position is that patients can have marijuana — they just can’t get it anywhere.

(Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason magazine.)

We’ve been here before when it comes to electric cars FLETCHER from page 4

expressed most clearly in Representative Paul D. Ryan’s budget plan, which proposes a sizable and profoundly shortsighted cut in financing for energy research and development.

We’ve been here before. In the mid 1990s, compelled by California air-quality regulations, automakers began leasing small numbers of electric cars, most famously General Motors’s EV1. But after the industry succeeded in weakening the regulations, G.M. recalled the EV1s and crushed them in the desert — a process chronicled in the 2006 documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” And that wasn’t the first aborted American electric-vehicle effort. In the 1970s, the government responded to the crisis in the oil markets with a

surge in financing for alternative energy projects.

Scores of chemists turned their attention to battery science and transformed the previously lifeless field.

Then oil became cheap again, and money for battery research dried up. Western battery science languished while the Japanese, looking for better batteries for portable electronics, followed up on the existing research and, in 1991, commercialized the lithium-ion battery. Now the vast majority of the world’s lithium-ion batteries, the most valuable and essential component in an electric vehicle, are manufactured in Asia. The United States is scrambling to catch up.

Today, at universities like Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in national laboratories like Argonne and Lawrence Berkeley,

scientists are developing technologies that could power a post-oil age — batteries nearly as rich in usable energy as gasoline, which would make cars like the Volt, with their gas-burning backup engines, historical artifacts.

If we gut domestic clean-energy research, scientists in China or Germany or Japan will finish this work. But it would be far better to stick with the program we’ve begun — financing research into better batteries while deploying vehicles that replace gasoline with electricity as much as possible — and prove that when it comes to energy, America can, in fact, learn from its mistakes.

(Seth Fletcher, a senior editor at Popular Science, is the author of “Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars and the New Lithium Economy.”)

Page 6 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Letter Carriers Food Drive is Saturday, May 14 (From left) Portland Postmaster David Guiney, City Councilor Dory Waxman, Letter Carrier Diana Erickson and Salvation Army Major Terry Shaffer gather with food donations to try to generate public awareness of this Saturday’s National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive. Waxman read a mayoral proclamation calling Saturday, May 14 “Letter Carriers Food Drive Day” in the city. According to the Postal Service, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their routes.The annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive — held in conjunction with the Postal Service — is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. The effort will help feed families in all 50 states. (COURTESY PHOTO)

City notes Memorial Day recycling, trash schedule The Department of Public Services Solid Waste crews will not collect trash or recycling on Memorial Day, May 30, the city announced.

Residents who normally receive collection services on Monday will have their trash and recycling collected the Saturday before, May 28. Residents of Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Little Diamond Island and Cliff Island will have their recycling and trash collection the following day, Tuesday, May 31. All items should be out by 6:30 a.m. to ensure collection. If residents have further questions about their trash/ recycling collection, they can contact the Recycling Hotline at 756-8189.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NEWS BRIEFS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Andre Debus III to appear at Longfellow Books for reading

U.S. Cellular launching faster, more reliable 4G service in Maine

Highly acclaimed author, Andre Dubus, known for his bestselling novel, “House of Sand and Fog,” will be reading from his new memoir at Longfellow Books on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. This reading, like other author events at the Monument Square bookstore, is free and open to the public.

With his first non-fiction title, “Townie: A Memoir,” Dubus makes the leap from novel to memoir with ease and proves that his writing knows no genre boundaries, Longfellow Books owner Chris Bowe said in a news release. Dubus reflects on the violence and confusion of his childhood following his parents’ divorce in the 1970s and how he turned his life around through the discovery of words and stories, Bowe said.

Growing up with a single working mother and three siblings in a depressed Massachusetts mill town saturated with drugs and everyday violence, Andre learned to use his fists to protect himself and those he loved. Irresistibly drawn to stand up for the underdog, he was on a fast track to getting killed— or killing someone else.

“Townie” has received generally strong reviews, and in March reached the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction. For more information on the event, visit longfellowbooks.com.

U.S. Cellular has announced that Portland and Bangor will be among the first markets to be upgraded to a faster and more reliable 4G network.

In a news release, the company said U.S. Cellular customers with 4G LTE devices and service will experience significantly faster data speeds when browsing the web, accessing e-mail, playing games and viewing and streaming videos.

The initial rollout of 4G LTE service for U.S. Cellular is planned for Milwaukee, Madison and Racine, Wis.; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa; Portland and Bangor, Maine; and Greenville, N.C., the company said.

“With 4G LTE, our customers will have faster connections to the people, information and entertainment that enhance their lives and help them stay organized,” said Mary N. Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular.

U.S. Cellular plans to introduce a portfolio of 4G-enabled devices during the first phase of its 4G LTE deployment and will continue to expand its offering through 2012. The rollout builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier’s nationwide network.

Community college system raises tuition to help offset budget deficit

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Maine Community College System trustee voted to approve a small increase in tuition across the state’s seven colleges yesterday to help offset a budget deficit in the upcoming academic year.

The 2.4 percent tuition increase will see in-state students paying $86 a credit hour, up from the current rate of $84. Out-of-state students will pay $172 per credit hour, a $4 increase according to The Bangor Daily News.

Maine students taking 30 credit hours will now pay $2,580 a year and out-of-state students will pay $5,160 a year, and increase of $60 and $120 respectively.

The tuition hike will generate $700,000 in increased revenue for the MCCS, though System President John Fitzsimmons said that system must still grapple with an $1.6 million shortfall due to the increased cost of living, according to the Bangor Daily News.

“We’ve had tremendous growth in enrollment, it’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep [tuition] down,” said Caroline Cianchette, marketing director for Southern Maine Community College.

Cianchette attributes at least some of this growth in enrollment to the recent economic downturn.

“People tend to go back to school and get new skills and different degrees during a [recession],” she said.

Calling Maine’s community college system a “great value,” Cianchette said that a degree from a two-year school like SMCC is a cost-effective alternative for those seeking higher education.

“You’re able to go get a degree for a little more than $5,000 versus $12,000 a year for a school like USM,” she said.

Goodwill pilot program focused on refugees, immigrants to graduate six Goodwill Industries of Northern New England will graduate the first class in a new pilot program aimed at teaching work force skills to refugees and immigrants this Friday.

Goodwill’s first TeachME (Teach Employment and Career Help Maine) program trains individuals on job skills useful in the local market, and offers training for filling out job applications, professionalism and practical training for retail and custodial positions, according to a press release from Goodwill.

The six students of the pilot class spent six weeks training at a Goodwill Store in South Portland where they learned customer service skills, health and safety guidelines and skills specific to store operations.

Graduates will begin searching for full-time work following graduation with help from Goodwill Workforce Solutions, according to Mainebiz.

Participants in the program were referred by a number of state and local agencies, including the Maine Department of Labor, the city of Portland Refugee and Immigrant Services Office and Catholic Charities.

Origin countries of students include the Dominican Republic, Burundi, Congo, El Salvador, Afghanistan, and Rwanda.

Participants in the custodial training will begin training this month, according to Mainebiz.

Funding for the TeachME pilot program is provided by Coastal Counties Workforce Inc., one of Maine’s local Workforce Investment Boards.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 7

–––––––––––––––– WHAT’S IN A NAME? ––––––––––––––––

Owner envisions expansion into Massachusetts, Portsmouth, N.H. POPCORN from page one

Customers browse the selections at Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. in the Old Port.

(MATT DODGE PHOTO)

Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. LOCATION: 43 Exchange St. HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CONTACT: 899-1530

“The Maine Coast is well known for exceptional craftsmanship, from the very first wooden ships to ceramics and fine wood working. Our popcorn is no exception! We pride ourselves on a quality, hand made product,” write owners Paul and Julie Roberts at their website, http://www.coastalmainepopcorn.com. See our page 1 feature on the offbeat Old Port shop and its bounty of flavors.

wasabi soy and buffalo wing, Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. offers over 60 varieties of flavored popcorn both sweet and savory.

“It’s a cross between an ice cream and Jelly Belly jelly beans,” said Paul Roberts, who along with his wife, Julie, owns Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. Inspired by Julie’s summer job back in her high school days, the couple did some market research to discover that speciality popcorn retailers are rare in the Northeast and opened their first location in Boothbay Harbor during the summer of 2008.

“We looked into it and gave it our best shot and it’s been a lot of fun,” said Roberts.

A trip to the company’s Exchange Street shop can feel like a foray into Willy Wonka’s factory. Coastal Maine Popcorn Co.’s flavors include fruit- and spiceinspired creations such as sour green apple, toasted coconut, parmesan garlic, black licorice, key lime pie and red hot cinnamon.

Mindful of the touristheavy crowd of a location like Boothbay Harbor, Roberts made sure to include the flavors those “from away” have come to expect from Maine, while holding back on some others.

“We have Maine maple, New England berries [strawberry, raspberry, blueberry] and we’ve done straight blueberry for special occasions,” said Roberts.

One Maine-y flavor boundary the couple isn’t yet willing to cross? The crustacean cleft.

“We could do lobster, people

Chocolate Covered Caramel with Sea Salt or Maine Maple? Sure, but don’t look for lobster-flavored popcorn. (COURTESY IMAGE)

ask us that all the time, but then the next question is do you think you would enjoy lobster flavored popcorn?’ and the answer is, ‘ehhh, not really’,” said Roberts.

The salt and vinegar flavor has been the top seller since the day the shop opened, followed closely by Maine maple, according to Roberts, who said customers have suggested a number of flavors and recommended combinations.

“A lot of times customers will say have you ever tried mixing this and that’. Its been a lot of fun,” said Roberts. The range of both sweet and savory options gives curious snackers the chance to make some unexpected and familiar combinations.

For example: “Maine maple and rosemary flavored popcorn, you mix it up and it taste like breakfast sausage,” said Roberts. Flavors “kind comes from everywhere,” he said. “Some things that you may try don’t come out great and other things end up being a hit.”

Of course, if you’re looking

for more sustenance than a handful of popcorn can offer, Roberts invites you combine flavors to create a shrunken, air-popped version of your favorite homecooked meal.

“You can mix things up like buffalo wings and blue cheese and you can pretty much make a whole meal out of it,” he said.

Roberts’ own favorite flavors include buffalo wing and wasabi soy. “I happen to love sushi,” he said.

The shop also produces seasonal flavors, including apple pie and graham cracker flavors in the fall and winter.

Long term plans for the Roberts’ include eventual expansion outside of Maine. “I would love to see a store in the next two years down in Massachusetts, Portsmouth would also be a great fit,” he said.

“In eight to ten years we would like to have 15 to 20 locations. There are certainly are people who have voiced an interest in partnering up and doing it in different locations. That would be a lot of fun,” he said.

More than $12,000 and 9,770 pounds of food raised by businesses for food bank DAILY SUN STAFF REPORT On Saturday, May 7, WCSH 6, WLBZ 2 and Hannaford Supermarkets, held Feed ME — a food drive to benefit the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food-Bank.WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 on-air personalities broadcasted live from Hannaford Supermarkets in Bangor, Augusta, Portland and Sanford.

On this one day, these four locations accepted 9,770 pounds of food and on-the-spot cash donations surpassing $12,000, which equals 67,500 meals, organizers reported.

Because Good Shepherd Food-Bank is able to leverage buying power in a significant way, every dollar donated represents $8 worth of food, accord-

ing to a press release from Debbie Sample, community relations director for WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2.

“The donations from the Feed ME Food Drive will have a significant and immediate impact on communities throughout Maine,” said Rick Small, president and CEO of Good Shepherd Food-Bank. “We continue to see the need for emergency food increase, but we know that, thanks to the generous donations we received on Saturday, more food will make it onto Maine tables this year.”

Hannaford Supermarkets will continue to accept cash donations at every checkout register throughout the month of May. “We are so grateful to be able to partner with Hannaford, WCSH 6, and WLBZ 2 for the Feed ME Food Drive,” said Christine Force, VP of Fund Develop-

ment and Strategic Initiatives at Good Shepherd Food-Bank. “It’s because of these partners that we’re able to inform so many Mainers about hunger in their communities and collect such an impressive amount of donations for struggling Maine families.”

Nearly 195,000 people living in Maine struggle with hunger, the press release states. Maine ranks eighth in the nation, and first in New England, in terms of household food insecurity. One in five children is food-insecure, the press release stated.

During fiscal year 2009-2010, the Food Bank distributed 12 million pounds of food to families and individuals throughout Maine, through relationships with more than 600 partner agencies, including soup kitchens, shelters, after school programs, food pantries, day care centers, senior centers and youth programs.

Page 8 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

On Thursday, neighbors can learn more about 16-unit Avesta development SCHOOL from page one

now,” said Eric Stark, a member of the City Council’s community committee that reviewed the project. Stark lives near the old school, which is graffitied and surrounded by weeds.

“The city obviously needs housing, the fact that it’s middle-income housing, I think, is a good use,” Stark said.

“It would have been nice if they could have found a use for the building, but I know a couple of developers, architects and community members tried that, and it didn’t seem to work.”

The formal Adams School redevelopment process dates back to a 2008

This artist’s rendering shows what new affordable housing will look like on Moody Street on Munjoy Hill following the Adams School redevelopment.

“People seem pretty satisfied and pleased that this is moving ahead,” said Ethan Boxer-Macomber, Avesta Housing senior development officer. (Image courtesy of Avesta Housing)

city request for proposals for site redevelopment. Avesta won that RFP process, with a plan to buy the entire 1.5-acre site for $600,000 and put up 40 affordable homes. But with the eco-

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nomic downturn and housing market collapse, that plan was put on hold.

Now, with a $1.7 million federal stimulus grant, Avesta has scaled back; the nonprofit affordable housing developer invested in about threequarters of one acre for $250,000 with plans to build 16 townhomes, said Ethan Boxer-Macomber, Avesta Housing senior development officer. Total development cost is $5.5 million, he said.

After months of review, the project now hits the ground.

Asbestos removal begins Monday and should last two weeks, BoxerMacomber said. In the 1958 building, all of the floors are asbestos tile, so experts will go in and remove the hazardous material, Boxer-Macomber explained.

“Once the abatement is complete and all of the asbestos is out and the building is clear, we’ll shift to the demolition phase,” he said.

Avesta expects three weeks of demolition.

An April 26 neighborhood meeting was held to explain the project, but

Boxer-Macomber said he still heard questions in the neighborhood, so Avesta set up this Thursday’s neighbors’ meeting. Postcards were circulated to residents inviting them to attend.

“What we’re doing on Thursday is to specifically let the abutters know what’s going on in terms of the demolition,” Boxer-Macomber said.

In conjunction with building the new housing, Avesta plans to develop a park, which will be owned by the city, he said. Namesake of the school, teacher Marada Adams, will remain a presence on the hill. The name of the park will be Marada Adams Park, Boxer-Macomber said.

It’s still unclear what the housing development itself will be called, however. A private way will run through the development, and “the branding of the property likely will follow suit from naming of the interior road,” Boxer-Macomber said. The actual name hasn’t been chosen yet, he said.

“We’re working on that with the city, trying to come up with a good one,” Boxer-Macomber said.

Pine Tree Legal receives HUD grant Pine Tree Legal Assistance was awarded a three-year Fair Housing Initiatives Project grant, totaling $975,000, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue enforcement of federal and state fair housing laws, the group reported. The grant will support three staff positions and allow Pine Tree Legal to continue the statewide fair housing project.

HUD awarded a total of $40.8 million to 108 fair housing organizations and nonprofit agencies throughout the country to educate the public and combat housing and lending discrimination, Pine Tree reported. The

news of the grant award also comes on the heels of HUD’s national media campaign highlighting Fair Housing Month, celebrated across the country each April to commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act. To celebrate Fair Housing Month, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, the Disabilities Rights Center, and the Maine Human Rights Commission held a fair housing workshop for landlords, service providers and real estate professionals on April 13. One hundred sixteen people attended the event, which was held at the Maine Human Rights Commission in Augusta.

— Staff Report

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 9

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RESTAURANT COLUMN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A roving adventure by a fearless hospitality worker The happiest people in any job or career are those who are in it by choice. Some people wind up in a vocation through hard work, education and determination. Others are led to the proverbial time clock by chance, fate or following family footsteps.

Still others are working for The Man because "they are stuck in this economy and simply have no place else to go." None of this is the case with Jessica Lon––––– costy.

What It’s Like Jess is a star-shaped peg that cannot be neatly placed in any of these holes. This is especially noteworthy for many reasons that illustrate to people outside of the hospitality industry exactly why anyone would seriously choose to wait tables, bartend, hostess; and take on management duties that encompass everything from scraping the gum off the bottom of a table to settling a dispute between an angelic server and a surly dishwasher.

In the restaurant world, actual experience and savvy are more important than age or name-dropping and at 26 years old, Jess is an old soul with credentials, wisdom and courage that few possess. Her resume betrays her current path as she graduated Cum Laude from Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., and is a talented and accomplished musician and educator. The literal resume states that while in college she was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the University Wind Symphony, a member of the Intercollegiate Honor Band, and on and on ... all while working a full-time job as (you guessed it) a restaurant employee.

After loving her four-year stint as a middle school flute instructor and teaching marching technique and field position to high school marching band students, Jess woke up one day with a huge urge to travel and get the heck out of Dodge. Being in her mid-20s, single and confidently full of adventure and common sense, she quickly made the decision to act, no matter how crazy it seemed to those around her.

When asked how she ended up in Portland, Maine, Jessica said, "I'd been up and down and all over the West, but had never been to the East Coast. I told a friend I wanted to live on the Atlantic Ocean, in a medium-sized town with a lot to do and see. Someplace where I'd get local flavor, and had a lot of restaurants. I wasn't worried about a job or where I'd live. I just knew I'd figure it out." The friend wisely steered her here, and figure it out she did.

In October of 2009, Jess packed up her '92 Nissan Stanza and set out for Maine, taking her time crossing the country solo and stopping along the way to see friends and family. Upon arrival, she camped out and hit both the USM and Portland Public Library for the daily, one-hour Internet allotment at each location, searching for jobs and a place to live.

When asked about this scary step of the journey she smiled and said, "Within two weeks I had moved into a beautiful apartment with two people who are now life-long friends, and was working two great, different jobs. I was opening a coffee shop, being a barista in the morning and working lunch and dinner shifts someplace else. I still had time to do things and see Maine and I've made real connections with people here. Really, I couldn't have

Natalie Ladd

ultimately made the decision was to head home to Washington State for the summer to manage at the very place (a seasonal resort with both fine and casual dining) where she got her humble beginnings many years ago.

This time she'll fly and will reconnect with her tight-knit family and childhood friends.

She also promises that she'll be back in the fall when the leaves begin to turn as Maine is now home too. Over the past two years, she has met the "love of her life, " who lives and works here and is fully supportive of her bicoastal migrating.

With little sadness and trade mark optimism, Jess says, "The next adventure probably involves settling down, maybe having children and getting back into graduate school, or teaching. One thing I know for sure, I'll be working in a restaurant no matter Columnist Natalie Ladd (left) with Jessica Loncosty, "a star and an inspira- what I do!"

The Down Low: Experienced industry tion in the brightest, truest sense of the word." (COURTESY PHOTO) people who are ready, willing and able to done this without having restaurant experience and travel should check out www.coolworks.com management skills. You can't just pick up and move for a current listing of resort and seasonal hospitaland get a job teaching flute these days." ity jobs across the country. While it may be too late As Jess approaches the two-year mark of living for this year, Jess suggests starting your job search in Maine, she reflects on her recent decision to pack in January for the following summer. up and move on again. "The what's-out-there travel My Take: Back in the day, many of my friends bug struck and I never want to regret not taking an backpacked Europe after high school, but few people opportunity while I can. I don't ever want to look then (and even more so now) had the chutzpah to back and think that I should have tried something walk away from a fairly secure, benefits-laden job new, but was afraid. And honestly I couldn't do any in their chosen profession to take a chance on what of this if I hadn't been working in restaurants since life randomly holds next. So many of us wish we I was fourteen. It has opened the door for so many could, and so few of us actually ever really would, things." even if circumstances allowed for it. As an advenSo where did Jessica apply after she made the turer, a professional restaurant person, and above decision to investigate someplace new? A Dude all, a friend, Jessica Loncosty is a star and an inspiRanch in Utah, a resort on Mackinaw Island in ration in the brightest, truest sense of the word.

Michigan, resorts in national parks in Wyoming, Oh, and the '92 Stanza XE with 160,000 miles Virginia and others. The interview process involved that surely has stories all of its own? It's for sale. phone conversations and skyping, and not surprisingly to those of us who know her, she was offered (Natalie Ladd and her “What’s It Like” column jobs at all of them. take a weekly look at the culinary business in and Although it was not her first intention, Jess around Portland.)

DAILY CROSSWORD TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

by Lynn Johnston

by Paul Gilligan

By Holiday Mathis SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t have to be the best in the whole world. You only have to be the best in the competition -- and probably today that means being the best in the room.

You can do it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

Your mind is so active now that it’s not easy to center your thoughts on the needs of others. However, when you do this and act in accordance, you create excitement, interest and sales.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).

For your idea to be accepted by the decision-makers above you, they have to want to like it. Success depends on giving them a reason to want to like it, and then giving them something worth liking.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You get around in new ways. You rely on your phone and computer more, that’s true. But you also listen more astutely to your intuition and act on what you hear.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Finishing what you start will be a big deal now. It’s a matter of dignity. You gain self-esteem knowing that you completed the cycle. Also, you just want to get on with your life.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 11).

You’ll be chosen for a special position because of the high level of respect you command from and give to others.

Life is smooth as you seek relationships with those who learn easily and work peacefully. August and November bring a financial bonus. You’ll be awarded in March. December brings a happy family event. Gemini and Cancer people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 32, 20, 16, 15 and 37.

Pooch Café For Better or Worse LIO

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your energy remains high when you don’t stick with any one focus for too long.

You will excel with short-term assignments and situations that have a definite endpoint.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s an ethereal feeling to the day. The work you have to do may seem more mystical than practical. Succeeding in this will require a certain abdication of logic and convention.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You do a lot in the spirit of common decency that you think others would do, as well.

It will be clearly illustrated today that not everyone got the memo. It might help you to think of yourself as a teacher and leader.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Forging the bonds of friendship is often so much fun that you don’t see it as work.

But sometimes it is work, and you’ll do what it takes to respect, defend and maintain this bond.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have many talents, but the best one of all is your ability to make the day better for yourself and everyone around you. You will spread beautiful vibes wherever you go.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Just because a saying is witty doesn’t mean it’s true. But if the statement is really funny -- so funny you can’t stop laughing -- there must be some degree of truth to it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re not messing around. On the mundane matters, you’ll show no mercy. Something may sound good or look good on paper, but if it doesn’t work well in real life, you’ll drop it.

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, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

ACROSS 1 “This too __ pass” 6 Make eyes at 10 Concern 14 Cone-shaped dwelling 15 Beer’s cousins 16 Like fine wine 17 Amphitheater 18 Caribbean and Mediterranean 19 Boring event 20 Hold back 22 Per person 24 Loose __; bits of unfinished business 25 Embroidered little holes 26 Did penance 29 Portrait holder 30 Hightailed it 31 Bargains 33 Phi Beta __ 37 Nobel-winning African bishop

39 Plunges in headfirst 41 Sidewalk edge 42 Gem 44 Olympics prize 46 Caviar source 47 Innocent ones 49 Most modern 51 __ on; goaded 54 Reason to bathe 55 Distributing 56 Abnormal 60 __ reflux; stomach woe 61 1/12 of a foot 63 For __; temporarily 64 Yell for 65 First line on an application, usually 66 Harvests 67 Patella’s place 68 Fortune-teller 69 Scum; impurity

1

DOWN Celebrity

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 26 27 28 29 32 34

In this location Ridicules Of a pre-Easter period Mastered Desert refuge Secluded valley Actor Nicholas Students’ written works Coupe de Ville or Seville See eye to eye Respond to a stimulus Margins __ up; tallied Quick look __ up; relaxed Painting and sculpture Tight, as a rope Aware of the duplicity of Santa’s helpers Shot carefully Untainted

35 Experts 36 Help in crime 38 Loosen from a restraint 40 Like the beach surface 43 Make, as a salary 45 Spotted cat 48 Starts 50 Author

51 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 62

Hit; slap Nut variety Useful Each __; one another Peak Italian farewell Elec. current units Not as much Scottish “no”

Yesterday’s Answer

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 11

––––––– ALMANAC ––––––– Today is Wednesday, May 11, the 131st day of 2011. There are 234 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On May 11, 1981, legendary reggae artist Bob Marley died in a Miami hospital at age 36.

On this date: In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant arrived in New Amsterdam to become governor of New Netherland.

In 1811, conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker were born in Siam (now Thailand), giving rise to the term “Siamese twins.”

In 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state of the Union.

In 1911, actor-comedian Phil Silvers was born in New York City.

In 1946, the first CARE packages arrived in Europe, at Le Havre, France.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman formally dedicated the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state.

In 1960, Israeli agents captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In 1973, charges against Daniel Ellsberg for his role in the “Pentagon Papers” case were dismissed by Judge William M. Byrne, who cited government misconduct.

In 1981, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats,” based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” opened in London.

In 1996, an Atlanta-bound ValuJet DC-9 caught fire shortly after takeoff from Miami and crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 people on board.

In 2006, Lawmakers demanded answers after a USA Today report that the National Security Agency was secretly collecting records of millions of ordinary Americans’ phone calls; Former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson died in New Paltz, N.Y., at age 71.

One year ago: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned, ending 13 years of the Labour Party government and paving the way for Conservative David Cameron to become Britain’s next leader. Italian designer Giuliana Coen Camerino, credited with making handbags a fashion item, died in Venice at age 90.

Today’s Birthdays: Comedian Mort Sahl is 84. Rock singer Eric Burdon (The Animals; War) is 70. Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (SHOH’-reh ahg-DAHSH’-loo) is 59. Actress Frances Fisher is 59. Actor Boyd Gaines is 58. Country musician Mark Herndon (Alabama) is 56. Actress Martha Quinn is 52. Country singer-musician Tim Raybon (The Raybon Brothers) is 48. Actor Jeffrey Donovan is 43. Country musician Keith West (Heartland) is 43. Actor Coby Bell is 36. Cellist Perttu Kivilaakso (PER’-tuh KEE’-weelahk-soh) is 33. Actor Jonathan Jackson is 29. Actor Cory Monteith (TV: “Glee”) is 29.

WEDNESDAY PRIME TIME Dial

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dance. Å Survivor: Redemption WGME Island “Too Close for Comfort” (N) Å WPME Burn Notice Å

America’s Next Top els are chosen. (N) Criminal Minds “Big Sea” Bodies are found buried in Florida. (N) Burn Notice Å

24

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25

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Movie: ›› “Evan Almighty” (2007) Steve Carell.

26

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NESN MLB Baseball: Red Sox at Blue Jays

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CSNE World Poker Tour: Sea World Poker Tour: Sea Sports

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35 36 37

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NCIS “Ignition” Å

NCIS “Heartland” Å

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Criminal Minds Å

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38

CNN In the Arena (N)

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41

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43

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NBA Basketball: Celtics at Heat

44

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Spouse vs. House (N)

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46

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47

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Movie: ››‡ “The Recruit” (2003) Al Pacino.

48

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DAILY CROSSWORD 1 9 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 34 39 40

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Movie: ››› “Wanted” (2008)

Movie: ›› “Where the Heart Is” (2000) Natalie Portman.

78

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Lakes 41 Some: Fr. 44 Broad necktie 45 Country singer Rimes 46 Piccadilly Circus statue 48 Cartoon collectible 49 Cautioned 50 Cooked by radiant heat 52 Chip scoopful 53 Wickerwork cane 54 End of quote 59 Under control 60 Phil of the NHL 61 Multi-speaker audio system 62 Dole out

1 2 3 4

DOWN Pen on a farm Court Flightless Australian bird & the rest

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 32 33 35 36

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‘70s hot spot Sun shield Compelled Notes of scales Sound peak Handle the helm __ Marie Saint Pakistan neighbor

37 Type of dance or drive 38 Give temporarily 41 Rubble 42 Off-course 43 Pacify 45 Traveler’s PC 47 Indian instrument 49 Fleeting traces

51 Kidder’s “Superman” role 52 Bandleader Arnaz 54 Bottom of the river 55 Operate 56 Wrestling success 57 “__ Not Unusual” 58 Unknown Jane or John

Yesterday’s Answer

THE

Page 12 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS • CALL 699-5807

Help Wanted

Services

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 University of Southern Maine invites applications for Art Department Environmental and Safety Technical Technician #1643. The University has an institution-wide commitment to inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism, and community. Complete position information including required qualifications and the application process is a v a i l a b l e a t : usm.maine.edu/hrs/jobs

PA-PA Dan’s Mowing- No, you won’t get a pizza, but you’ll get a neatly cut yard! Brighton, Stevens, Allen and Washington Avenue areas, formerly with Lucas Tree. $30-$35, (207)878-6514.

Animals

Boats

For Rent

For Rent

PUPPY spring sale, 20% off small mixed breeds. See website for more details: www.mainelypuppies.com (207)539-1520.

USED inflatable boats wanted.

Any condition. And used inflatable boats for sale.

(207)899-9544.

PORTLAND- Danforth Street, 1 bedroom, heated, newly painted, hardwood floors. Modern eat-in kitchen. $850.

(207)773-1814.

WESTBROOK large room eff. furnished, utilities pd includes cable. Non-smokers only. No pets. $195/wkly (207)318-5443.

Announcement PORTLANDTALKS.COM Rant and rave! Have you been silent too long? You can make a difference.

Entertainment MAINESATELLITETV.COM Watch over 3500 channels with no monthly fees. Software $49.95 for PC and Laptops.

Autos

Flea Market

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

ARTISTS and Craftsmen wanted for Westfest Fair. May 21st. FMI (207)415-3877.

RAMSEY Services- Dead or alive! Cash for cars, running or not. Up to $500. (207)615-6092.

WANTED Artist and Crafters for spring art show at Reiche School. Tables $15-$25, May 21st., 10-4pm, FMI 415-3877.

PORTLAND- Maine MedicalStudio, 1/ 2 bedroom. Heated, off street parking, newly renovated. $475-$875.

(207)773-1814.

PORTLAND- Munjoy Hill- 3 bedrooms, newly renovated.

Heated, $1275/mo. Call Kay (207)773-1814.

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

For Rent-Commercial PORTLAND Art District- Art studios with utilities. First floor.

Adjacent to 3 studios. $325 (207)773-1814.

SHOP/ Office, 570 Brighton, Portland. 400 s.f., 1st floor, parking, low rates. (207)807-1004.

Services CARPENTRY Home repairs, kitchen & bath remodeling, window & door replacement. Decks, additions, garages, wood rot repairs & gutters. Call Bob Tripp 650-3454.

DUMP RUNS We haul anything to the dump. Basement, attic, garage cleanouts.

Insured www.thedumpguy.com (207)450-5858.

For Sale

MAINEX10.COM

2 plots at Brooklawn Cemetery, South Portland. Value $1850, selling for $1450. (207)332-9180.

Home security, surveillance, entertainment & automation. No monthly fees! Shop with confidence! VeriSign secure.

Wanted To Buy I buy broken and unwanted laptops for cash, today. Highest prices paid. (207)233-5381.

Yard Sale AUBURN, Lewiston Coin/ Marble Show- 5/14/11, American Legion Post 31, 426 Washington St, 8-2pm. (802)266-8179. Free admission.

PLANT & Book Sale- Sat. May 14th, 9-1pm. Allen Ave Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Ave, Portland. Perennials, annuals, houseplants, herbs, gently used garden equipment and more, plus books of all types!

SOUTH Paris Coin/ Marble Show- 5/21/11, American Legion Post 72, 12 Church St, 8-2pm.

(802)266-8179. Free admission.

ANNIE’S MAILBOX Dear Annie: I live in a small condominium community of 24 units. Two units down, there is an older woman who is a hoarder. She continually has trash piled up by her front door and back porch. When you look through her glass sliding doors, you can see trash from floor to ceiling. She piles up garbage on her car, and it sits there for several days before she takes it to the dumpster. She also has two dogs, and we never see her walking them. This has been going on for the past 15 years.

The board of directors of our condo association has tried everything from calling the county municipal department to notifying animal control. The board has fined her for various misdemeanors, such as not allowing pest control in her unit and leaving all that trash around, but it makes no difference.

The woman does not talk to anyone in the community, and we never see friends or family visit. We are all afraid of what that unit looks like inside. Any suggestions? -- Condo Owner Dear Owner: Hoarding is a form of mental illness, and this woman likely needs professional help. Since you can see the trash inside her home, as well as outside, it may constitute evidence that her hoarding has created a health code violation and the Dept. of Health could order her to clean it up. There may also be a fire hazard, in which case the condominium board should notify the fire department. As a last resort, the condo board could sue her. Ask the board to discuss this problem with their association attorney to see what steps can be taken.

Dear Annie: My wife and I are friends with “Mike” and “Marty,” who are in their early 20s, a bit younger than we are. Mike and Marty pick fights over the most ridiculous things, and even if you make a good point, they won’t agree.

They do things they know will bother or offend us, such as when they make anti-religious comments.

They also seem unappreciative of things we have done for them. I helped Mike work on his car and was never thanked for it. We have had them over for dinner more than once and have yet to be told “thank you” or to receive an invite to their place. They sometimes say nice things on Facebook about their other friends, but never about us.

I honestly enjoy hanging out with Mike and Marty, but the little fits they have over ridiculous things are getting old. Lately, we’ve stopped communicating, just to see what will happen. It would be nice to be appreciated for our efforts. How do we handle this? -- Unappreciated in Massachusetts Dear Massachusetts: You are at a different point in your life than Mike and Marty. What you have in common is no longer so obvious. We are not sure why you wish to maintain a friendship with people who do not seem to appreciate you, but since you do, try to understand their limitations and accept them as they are. And if they say something offensive, by all means, ask them to stop.

Dear Annie: You printed a letter I wrote that I signed, “Still Here Doing This.” I told you that I was married to a mentally ill, emotionally abusive man. I stayed for the children, who now rarely visit.

I wanted to let you know that I am not “still here” anymore. I finally mustered the courage to leave when it was apparent that my husband was only getting worse. I had the police remove him from our home, took out a restraining order and filed for divorce. I encourage anyone who is married to such a person to get out. I have no regrets. The emotional and physical abuse needed to end. -- Not There Anymore

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

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE? Enjoy the quality of life found in the Mt. Washington Valley while working in a progressive hospital that matches advanced medical technology with a compassionate approach to patient care.

Join our team and see what a difference you can make!

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes health/dental, generous paid time off, matching savings plan, educational assistance and employee fitness program. We have the following openings:

• RN Care/Case Manager- Full Time. BSN preferred. Strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking capabilities and outstanding internal and external customer relations skills. Previous case management experience desired. Clinical experience with ability to proactively interact with physicians on current and proposed care within an acute care environment required. Knowledge of insurance plans, including Medicare reimbursement helpful. Position invloves discharge planning and assisting patients with care transitions.

• Night Clerk/Clinical Support- Full-time and Per Diem. Night shifts. Must hold current EMT or LNA Certification. Perform duties based in the ED area, Switchboard/Registration and support.

• LPN/RN- Per Diem. Rotating 12 hour shifts • Manager of Environmental Services- Full-time. Directs, coordinates, and supervises the employees of the Environmental Services (EVS) department to maintain a clean facility environment based on best practices established by professional organizations and regulatory agencies. Lead by example with a personal commitment to excellence in practice and leadership.

• RN- FTE 0.9. Medical-Surgical Nurse, BLS/ACLS certified.

Day/Night, 12 hr shifts. Experience preferred.

• RN- Full-Time. ACLS/PALS/BLS and some acute care experience and critical care experience preferred. Must take rotating call. Positive attitude, team player, computer skills and critical thinking skills required.

• RN- Full-time. Rotating 12 hr shifts, Labor experience, ACLS, NRP, Fetal monitoring.

• Medical Assistant- .7 FTE and Per Diem. Certification as a Medical Assistant is required. Applicant must be computer literate and have strong reading, writing, communication and analytical skills. Every other wknd coverage.

• Office RN- Per Diem. Office experience preferred. BLS required.

Willing to be a team player, NH License. To cover vacations, etc.

A completed Application is required to apply for all positions Website: www.memorialhospitalnh.org.

Contact: Human Resources, Memorial Hospital, an EOE PO Box 5001, No. Conway, NH 03860.

Phone: (603)356-5461 • Fax: (603)356-9121

The Daily Sun Classifieds “Can you send me prices for display ads in the Sun... I am really happy with the results from the Sun classifieds and I want to expand... I have tried the other papers... zero replies... nothing even comes close to The Sun...”

— An advertiser who gets results using the Sun’s classifieds.

To place a classified call 699-5807

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 13

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

Wednesday, May 11 Eggs & Issues features FairPoint 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Eggs & Issues Networking: 7 a.m.

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Program: 8 a.m. Holiday Inn By the Bay, Portland. Mike Reed, corporate president in Maine of FairPoint Communications “will speak about the company’s efforts to build and expand on its investment in broadband and high speed networking to residents and businesses, the future of the telecommunications in Maine, as well as, its experiences and recovery from the Chapter 11 process. As a company with 1,500 employees, Mike will discuss FairPoint Communications’ impact on the economy and its involvement and commitment in supporting economic development in the state. He will also describe his efforts at bringing a face to the company as it rebuilds its reputation and trust with the public.”

Maine Organization Of Storytelling Enthusiasts 7 p.m. Maine Organization Of Storytelling Enthusiasts presents Storytelling Swap and Feature. Swap from 7-8 p.m., Feature from 8:15-9 p.m. Portland Public Library, Monument Square. Hosted by Debb Freedman. Feature Teller: Dan Lynch from Provincetown, Mass., known to all as Storyman Dan. An Evening of stories from, on and around the Ocean. “He is instrumental in reviving storytelling in Provincetown, his home, Truro and Springfield. He honors his celtic roots and encourages everyone to tell.”

Free Device Workshop with U.S. Cellular

Jeff Aumuller loads up his 1933 gaff-rigged cutter sailboat in Portland Harbor. On Thursday, the Saco Museum, 371 Main St., Saco, will present a talk about the exhibition "Voyages and the Great Age of Sail." (DAVID CARKHUFF FILE PHOTO)

7 p.m. “With a recent study showing a nearly 80 percent increase in smartphone shipments from a year ago, there are plenty of first-time smartphone users who may want a little help figuring out everything their advanced phones have to offer. U.S. Cellular is hosting a free workshop on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at 295 Forest Avenue in Portland to guide attendees through all of the functions and features of Android-powered devices, BlackBerry and Windows smartphones. Associates will answer questions and demonstrate common features such as e-mail access, web browsing, calendar synchronization and browsing for apps.” U.S. Cellular, 295 Forest Ave., Portland, 774-0407

‘Shameless! The Musical’ at Lucid Stage 7:30 p.m. Mad Horse Theatre presents, as part of its 25th anniversary season, the world premiere of “Shameless!

The Musical,” running through May 18. Performances are May 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Boulevard in Portland. All shows will be pay-whatyou-can. “Shameless!” was written by Portland writer and musician Jason Wilkins, whose last musical (Naked In Portland) enjoyed a successful run at the PSC Studio Theater.

“Shameless!” is directed by Mad Horse Theatre Associate Artistic Director Peter Brown. The show features a cast of six, including Cathy Counts (Good Theater), Michael Tobin (Old Port Playhouse), Jonathan Carr (Lyric Theater), Benjamin Row (Legacy Theater), Bartley Mullin (Seacoast Repertory Theater) and Megan Jackson (USM Theater Department). Shane Van Vliet (Portland Stage Company) is the music director. “‘Shameless!’ is the story of what happens when gay rights and the religious right collide within the confines of a single family. It combines wild comedy, heartbreaking drama, and catchy folky pop tunes; it blends real heart, real family values, and (possibly) a bit of controversy.” Ticketing information can be found on the web at www.lucidstage.com or by calling 899-3993.

Thursday, May 12 King MS Celebration of Learning 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students from King Middle School in Portland will exhibit their work at the school’s annual Celebration of Learning at the Portland Expo. Hundreds of student products will be displayed and students will be on hand to talk about their work. The Celebration of Learning is free and open to the public. In conjunction with the Celebration of Learning, King will host a two-day, national seminar for educators titled “A Middle School for All” on May 12 and 13. Educators from across the country will join King faculty, students and community members to learn how King uses Expeditionary Learning to help all students achieve at high levels. Participants will attend seminars conducted by King staff, observe classes and interact with teachers, administrators and students. http://king.portlandschools.org/

Juan Williams guest speaker at Salvation Army benefit dinner 6 p.m. The Salvation Army of Greater Portland, in partnership with Clark Insurance, invites the public to be a Sponsor and/or “Friend” of its upcoming “Champions for Kids” Benefit Dinner scheduled for May 12 at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. “Juan Williams, one of America’s leading political writers and thinkers, will be the guest speaker for the evening. Most recently a senior correspondent for NPR, he is currently a political analyst for Fox Television, and a regular panelist for FoxNews Sunday.” 6 p.m. for a reception, followed by dinner and program. Immediately after the program, Williams will host a book signing. http://www.use. salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_portland.nsf

Alphabet Kids Humanitarian Award 5:30 p.m. Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Portland, will be awarded the Alphabet Kids Humanitarian Award for Multicultural Understanding on May 12 at the Portland Museum of Art. Alphabet Kids is a nationally recognized children’s multicultural media organization that teaches tolerance and understanding through books and music. The organization’s Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals that show outstanding service to community, children and cross cultural understanding.

The 2010 Humanitarian Award honoree was Ambassador Julia Chang Block, president of U.S.-China Educational Trust. The Awards Ceremony on Thursday will feature the premier performance of Music for the World by the Pihcintu Multinational Children’s Chorus of Maine, which collaborated with Alphabet Kids on a documentary film during the rehearsals for the recording.

‘Voyages and the Great Age of Sail’ 6 p.m. Saco Museum, 371 Main St., Saco. “Come and hear the curators of the exhibition ‘Voyages and the Great Age of Sail’ — all of them students at the University of New England — talk about the exhibition and the history course that started it all! The University of New England and the Saco Museum teamed up this spring to create an exhibition on the great age of sail in Maine. Elizabeth A. De Wolfe, Ph.D., UNE professor of history, and Camille Smalley ‘08, program and education manager for the Saco Museum, have been team-teaching an exhibition class titled ‘Voyages and the Great Age of Sail.’ The resulting exhibition of the same name, curated by students in the class, will feature a treasure trove of artifacts related to the Saco sea captain Tristram Jordan — paintings, decorative arts, navigational tools, and more — in order to explore nineteenth-century maritime history. The exhibition will be on view at the Saco Museum May 7 through Sept. 4, 2011.”

Green Space Gathering 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Portland Parks Commission will host its second annual city-wide parks forum, a Green Space Gathering. The public is invited to learn about the wide

variety of green spaces within the city, efforts underway by the city and citizen groups to improve the parks and opens spaces, opportunities available to the public to get involved, and ways to start a community organization to adopt-a-park/spot in the city. The forum will also include a public discussion where members of the community can pose questions or provide feedback on their favorite park or open space to a panel of city staff and organization representatives. Merrill Rehearsal Auditorium. For more information about the Parks Commission and the Green Space Gathering, visit http://greenspacegathering.blogspot.com.

To RSVP or reserve a table for the event, contact Melissa Graffam at mag@portlandmaine.gov or 874-8823.

MCLU 2011 Justice Louis Scolnik Award 7 p.m. The Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation will present the 2011 Justice Louis Scolnik Award to Cushman Anthony at 7 p.m. at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. A reception for event sponsors will take place immediately preceding the dinner at 6 p.m. “Cush Anthony epitomizes service,” said Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union. “His guiding focus has always been equality and justice for those most vulnerable in our communities.” In 1971, Anthony was elected the third President of the MCLU. He would oversee the hiring of the fledgling organization’s first Executive Director, Neville Woodruff.

His priorities as President reflected the major issues of the era, tackling cases that involved free speech and prisoners rights.

Deering High School Players with the Bard 7 p.m. The Deering High School Players present “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” on May 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and on May 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Deering auditorium. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Deering attendance office during school hours (7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) for $7 (adults) and $5 (students). Tickets at the door on the night of each performance are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

For more information, contact Kathleen Harris at 874-8260 or at harrik@portlandschools.org

‘Gershwin Girls!’ revue in Freeport 7:30 p.m. “Gershwin Girls!” is a Cabaret style musical revue featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin. The allfemale cast will sing many of the Gershwins’ most popular tunes, with narration about their lives in between songs.

Conceived, written, and directed by Jon Wojciechowski Jr., and with musical direction by Charles Grindle. Performances are May 12 through May 29, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and $15 for Seniors and Students for the show “Gershwin Girls.” Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. See www.freeportfactory.com. The Freeport Factory Theater is located at 5 Depot Street in downtown Freeport. 865-5505 see next page

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Mad Horse Theater presents ‘Spring Awakening’ 7:30 p.m. Mad Horse Theater presents “Spring Awakening,” by Frank Wedekind, translated by Jonathan Franzen. The play runs Thursday through Sunday, May 5-22 at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Blvd., Portland, 8993993. “First performed amid scandal in 1906, the play explores the dawning sexual and intellectual awareness of young, German teenagers. Banned in its 1917 New York run after one night, the play is comic, unsentimental, and brutally authentic.An ensemble of 20 actors, ranging in age from 14 to 70, perform the original 1906 script that was the basis for the 2007 Tony Winning Musical sensation. Wedekind’s unsentimental and brutally authentic, comedic treatment of such radical content as teenage sex, and suicide created public outrage and charges of obscenity. Best-selling novelist Jonathan Franzen’s exquisite translation captures all of the drama and sarcasm of the original script.” Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 and $20. Thursdays are pay-whatyou-can. For reservations please call 899-3993. More information is available at www.madhorse.com.

Friday, May 13 Riverbank Shakespeare Festival 6 p.m. The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble, presenters of the “Naked Shakespeare” series, once again offers local audiences the treat of Shakespeare in the park with the second annual Riverbank Shakespeare Festival at Riverbank Park on Main Street in Westbrook. The centerpieces of the festival are two late-period romances that contain some of the richest and most complex language in the entire canon: Antony and Cleopatra and Cymbeline. Additionally, the Young Actors Shakespeare Conservatory will present as their final showcase The Comedy of Errors. All 3 shows have been abridged to various extents and will be offered free of charge with a suggested donation of $10. Performances take place May 6 to 22 on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Sunday afternoons and evenings. The complete performance calendar appears below. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets and picnic during the performances. No reservations are necessary, and in case of inclement weather, audiences are encouraged to check Acorn’s website at www.acornproductions.org or call the business office at 854-0065.

May 13 at 6 p.m., Cymbeline; May 14 at 2 p.m., Antony and Cleopatra; May 15 at 2 p.m., Comedy of Errors; May 15 at 6 p.m., Antony and Cleopatra; May 20 at 6 p.m., Antony and Cleopatra; May 21 at 2 p.m., Antony and Cleopatra; May 22 at 2 p.m., Cymbeline; May 22 at 6 p.m., Antony and Cleopatra. Free, suggested donation $10. FMI: www.nakedshakespeare.org or 854-0065

‘Nostalgia for the Light’ at the PMA 6:30 p.m. “Nostalgia for the Light” screening at the Portland Museum of Art. Friday, May 13, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.; Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m. NR. “For his new film, master director Patricio Guzmán, famed for his political documentaries (The Battle of Chile, The Pinochet Case), travels 10,000 feet above sea level to the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile, where atop the mountains astronomers from all over the world gather to observe the stars. The sky is so translucent that it allows them to see right to the boundaries of the universe.”

‘Gershwin Girls!’ revue in Freeport 7:30 p.m. “Gershwin Girls!” is a Cabaret style musical revue featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin. The allfemale cast will sing many of the Gershwins’ most popular tunes, with narration about their lives in between songs.

Conceived, written, and directed by Jon Wojciechowski Jr., and with musical direction by Charles Grindle. Performances are May 12 through May 29, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 with discounts for seniors and students, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets. See www.freeportfactory.com. The Freeport Factory Theater is located at 5 Depot Street in downtown Freeport. 865-5505

Saturday, May 14 Genealogy research trip to Boston 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Join Maine Historical Society for a day of genealogical research at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) and Massachusetts State Archives at Columbia Point. NEHGS, which was established in 1845, boasts a collection of more than 200,000 genealogical and historical volumes, over one million manuscripts, as well as census records, vital records, deeds, probates, mili-

tary records, plus the latest resources in print, microtext, and CD-Rom. The Massachusetts State Archives includes Massachusetts vital records (1841-1910), 19th century passenger lists for the port of Boston, census records, state military and judicial records, Plymouth Colony records and papers pertaining to the early settlement of Maine. Individuals who would like to take the MHS bus to Boston for a day of sightseeing but who do not plan to do research are welcome.” Registration required.

Fee: $35 for MHS members; $45 for nonmembers. *Does not include admission to NEHGS Library (NEHGS Admission: NEHGS Members: Free; non-NEHGS members: $15).

To register, please call 774-1822.

Clean Sweep Downtown in Brunswick 8 a.m. to noon. Brunswick Downtown Association’s annual Clean Sweep Downtown.

Volunteers are needed to assist in sweeping, weeding, and mulching. Tools are provided; please bring your own gloves. Register in advance by email to director@brunswickdownton.org or sign up on the 14th in front of Senter Place and Cool as a Moose on Maine Street. Rain date, Sunday, May 15.

Cushman Anthony served for seven years as director of advocacy at Portland’s Community Counseling Center, working to improve the state’s social service system.

Spring Plant and Pie Sale 8 a.m. to noon. Spring Plant and Pie Sale by From there, he went on to serve in the Maine House of Representatives and on the the Longfellow Garden Club at North Deer- Judiciary and Corrections Committees from 1986 to 1992. He later worked for a ing Congregational Church, 1364 Washington short time for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Washington-based Ave., Portland. Perennials from members’ gar- public interest lobby organization. He also served as chair of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. Anthony lives with his wife Karen in North Yarmouth. dens; baked goods; geraniums. will receive the 2011 Justice Louis Scolnik Award from Maine Civil Liberties Plant & Book Sale at Allen Ave. Unitarian He Union Foundation on Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.

(COURTESY PHOTO) Universalist Church in Portland 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allen Ave. Unitarian Universalist Shannon Moss, the event will include a Cat Photo Contest.

Church, 524 Allen Ave., Portland. Perennials, annuals, houseCollect Kitten Shower Wish List items and on the day of plants, herbs, gently used garden equipment, plus books of the event all qualifying donations will be weighed. The winall types! ning individual/group will receive a tour of the Shelter and a

Greenlaw to speak at USM commencement

Pizza Party. www.animalwelfaresociety.org

9 a.m. Isle au Haut resident, best-selling author and swordfishing captain Linda Greenlaw will be the speaker for the University of Southern Maine’s 131st Commencement. The ceremony will take place at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. Greenlaw will be awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters at the ceremony. Serena Dawn Gosbee of Sebago will be the student commencement speaker at the University of Southern Maine’s 131st Commencement. She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications. It is expected that nearly 900 graduates will march at the ceremony. For more news, visit USM Today at http://www.usm.maine.edu/news.

Eastern Promenade’s Pink Tulip Party

Howie Carr Hit Man 10 a.m. South Portland Nonesuch Books and Cards. “Join popular WGAN talk show host, and author, Howie Carr for a signing of his new book, Rat Bastard. Howie will be signing in our South Portland store starting at 10 a.m. and signing at our Biddeford store starting at 2. Come early for a good place in line as we expect these events to be well attended.

This will be Howie’s only to Maine for this book tour, Don’t miss out!” http://site.booksite.com/6033

Live raptors at Gilsland Farm 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Live raptors presentation at Gilsland Farm, Falmouth. Come to Maine Audubon for International Migratory Bird Day. The Center for Wildlife will bring a long-eared owl, a merlin, an American kestrel and a broadwinged hawk. $15/$10 for adults; $10/$5 for children. www. maineaudubon.org.

University of Maine at Farmington commencement 10:30 a.m. University of Maine at Farmington will celebrate its 2011 commencement at an outdoor ceremony behind the UMF Olsen Student Center on the UMF campus. Theodora J. Kalikow, UMF president, and Allen Berger, vice president for academic affairs, will confer degrees to this year’s graduates, including the first graduates of UMF’s Master of Science in Education — Educational Leadership degree program. “Bill McKibben, an American environmentalist, author, and educator will deliver the UMF Commencement address. McKibben, recognized by the Boston Globe as ‘probably the nation’s leading environmentalist,’ has written extensively about climate change and founded 350.org, a grassroots movement dedicated to help people across the globe become aware of the severe consequences of global warming to all of Earth’s inhabitants.” Jeffrey Lees, graduating senior with a double major in psychology and political science, from Vassalboro, will give the student address.

Lees is an honors scholar and was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta and Psi Chi, two academic honor societies.

West Kennebunk Kitten Shower 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join Animal Welfare Society of West Kennebunk for the Kitten Shower. Animal Welfare Society, West Holland Road, West Kennebunk. Hosted by WMTW’s

noon to 3 p.m. Celebrate spring in a beautiful garden and help fight cancer at Friends of the Eastern Promenade’s Pink Tulip Party at 23 St. Lawrence St. in Portland’s Munjoy Hill. “Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and music while you admire vibrant tulips and other blooming flowers in Rob and Robin Whitten’s Munjoy Hill retreat. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested. All donations benefit the Pink Tulip Project, which raises funds for the Women’s Cancer Fund at the Maine Cancer Foundation. Founded in 2006 by Robin Whitten, a breast cancer survivor, the Pink Tulip Project has raised more than $200,000 for the fund.” Please RSVP for the Pink Tulip Party by sending an email to info@friendsofeasternpromenade.org.

Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Around the World Expo Celebration at Bowdoin College 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bowdoin College Career Planning and the Maine Peace Corps Association are working in tandem with the National Peace Corps Association and the Peace Corps Regional Recruitment Office in Boston to bring the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Around the World Expo Celebration to the Bowdoin College Campus. The Expo is one of a series of nine 50th anniversary expos held around the country in 2011. The Expo will highlight the work of the Peace Corps over the past 50 years, while seeking to engage RPCVs and inspire the next generation of volunteers. Expo tables will feature exhibits from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers work from around the world, RPCV involvement in the Maine community as a group and information on the Peace Corps as a whole. The event is free and open to the community.

‘Nostalgia for the Light’ at the PMA 2 p.m. “Nostalgia for the Light” screening at the Portland Museum of Art. Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.; Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m. NR. “For his new film, master director Patricio Guzmán, famed for his political documentaries (The Battle of Chile, The Pinochet Case), travels 10,000 feet above sea level to the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile, where atop the mountains astronomers from all over the world gather to observe the stars. The sky is so translucent that it allows them to see right to the boundaries of the universe.”

Public bean supper in Old Orchard 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Masons of Orchard Lodge No. 215 in Old Orchard Beach will host a public bean supper at the Masonic Hall, 130 W. Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach.

The supper will feature all your favorites; baked beans, hot dogs, chopsuey, coleslaw, and a variety of desserts. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. For more information contact: Seth Dube (937-2062) see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011— Page 15

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from preceding page

Rock N Bowl benefit concert 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Maine Academy of Modern Music will be holding its annual Rock N Bowl benefit concert at Yankee Lanes, 867 Riverside St., Portland. The event will feature performances by a number of the school’s teen rock ensembles including Static, Shift, Chrome, Average Suburban Housecats, Parenthesys, The OxyMorons, The KGT and MAMM SLAM Finalists, The Twisted Truth. Band members hail from Kennebunk, Windham, Freeport, Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Cumberland, Falmouth and beyond. To promote the event, The OxyMorons will be performing live on FOX23’s Good Day Maine morning show Friday from 7-9 a.m.

Calamity Janes Maine Roller Derby action 6 p.m. Maine Roller Derby at the Portland Expo, Calamity Janes vs. Providence Killah Bees. Tickets $10 advance, $13 doors, $5 Kids 6-12, free for kids 5 and under. Afterparty at Empire Dine & Dance. The Janes are scheduled to take on the Queen City Cherry Bombs (June 4 at the Expo), Long Island Roller Rebels (June 19 at Happy Wheels) and Conn. Yankee Brutals (November in Waterbury). http:// www.mainerollerderby.com/news/

Women in Harmony concert 7 p.m. The Maine Arts Commission has given the chorus an “Artists in Maine Communities” grant of more that $3,000 for its concert, Moving On: Immigration in Song. Choral Arts New England has also awarded the group an Alfred Nash Patterson grant of $1,000 toward the spring concert, Women in Harmony announced. Performances will take place on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. at Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland.

The concert will feature the premier of [F]light a borderlands song cycle by Maine choral composer and former chorus member Erica Quin-Easter. Quin-Easter, who lives in Caribou, has set to work the writings of two award-winning Arizona poets, Wendy Burk and Eric Magrane. As foundation for their work, the three artists met with naturalists, farmers, cultural workers and community advocates in the two border regions. Quin-Easter’s work is supported by a Maine Arts Commission Innovative Production grant. The composer and poets will hold a pre-concert conversation with interested audience members on both days. Now in its 18th year, Women in Harmony espouses a musical mission for social justice. Tickets go on sale May 1 at Longfellow Books, Starbird Music (Portland); Nonesuch Books (So. Portland). For more information about Women in Harmony, visit www.wihmaine.org.

Greater Freeport Community Chorus 7:30 p.m. Consisting of over 60 members from 22 Maine communities, the Greater Freeport Community Chorus will be performing a varied program in Spanish, Hebrew, Latin, English and Portugese, including Scottish airs, jazz, gospel, a whimsical song about two philosophical crows, and music by Mozart, Rutter, Dello Joio, and Lauridsen. The Saturday, May 14 performance will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Freeport Performing Arts Center at Freeport High School, and the 2:30 Sunday performance will be at the Sacred Heart Church at 326 Main Street, Yarmouth. Adult tickets are $10, seniors $5, and children under 12 free. Tickets may be purchased at the Freeport Community Center, Music and Moore in Topsham, or at the door. For more information about the chorus, go to www.gfccweb.org

‘Gershwin Girls!’ revue in Freeport 7:30 p.m. “Gershwin Girls!” is a Cabaret style musical revue featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin. The allfemale cast will sing many of the Gershwins’ most popular tunes, with narration about their lives in between songs.

Conceived, written, and directed by Jon Wojciechowski Jr., and with musical direction by Charles Grindle. Performances are May 12 through May 29, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 with discounts for seniors and students, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets. See www.freeportfactory.com. The Freeport Factory Theater is located at 5 Depot Street in downtown Freeport. 865-5505

Sunday, May 15 Southern Maine Heart Walk 8:30 a.m. Teams of families, friends and co-workers will take part in the American Heart Association’s Southern Maine Heart Walk. “The event’s goal is to raise $335,000 to support the AHA’s lifesaving research, education and advocacy efforts. Health screenings, guest survivor speakers, heart-healthy food, children’s activities (including a bounce house and rock wall), Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, and other educational exhibits aim to inspire people to learn more about their risk for cardiovascular diseases

and to improve their health.” Rain or shine at Payson Park, Ocean Avenue, Portland. 8:30 a.m. for Registration/Breakfast/Guest Speakers/9:30 a.m. for Walk around Back Cove. http://www.facebook.com/americanheartmaine

Big Garden Day at Congregation Bet Ha’am 9 a.m. Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland. “All are invited to our plant sale fundraiser, and to observe and help with the planting of the wheat and building of garden beds by our Congregation’s students.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Annual Plant Sale. A great selection of locally dug perennials, vegetable seedlings and shrubs all at great prices. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Wheat Planting.

The wheat planting will take place adjacent to the plant sale. Observe or help our students plant our very first wheat crop. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Build Raised Bed Gardens. Come join us for hands-on learning under the direction of the Cultivating Community. ... Last month’s Mystery of Matzah event explored the origins of wheat and the possibilities of growing it in our own back yards. We’ll be putting our new skills into practice by planting our very first crop of wheat. Also, our annual plant sale will help raise money for our studentdriven vegetable garden project in partnership with Cultivating Community. Plant sale items are cash or check only, please.”

Curtis Willey Memorial 5K — Run for the Future 10 a.m. Finley Recreation Center, Portland Campus of University of New England. “On Sunday, May 15, 2011, the University of New England’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Student Council will host the first, of what we hope to be an annual event, the Curtis Willey Memorial 5K — Run for the Future. This run/walk event is open to all and will begin and end at the Finley Recreation Center on the Portland Campus.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Willey Children’s Education Fund. Curtis passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2011, leaving behind his loving wife and three children.

He was completing his first year of the DPT program at UNE. Curtis was a man who touched many lives with his outgoing personality, energy for life, and unfailing kindness towards others. He was exceptionally devoted to his family, and spoke of them often with pride in his voice and a contagious smile on his face. He was also committed to his dream of becoming a physical therapist, and exemplified all of the qualities that would have made him great at it. Curtis valued his opportunities to attain a higher education, and hoped to one day help his children do the same. The Wiley Memorial 5K event is intended to celebrate the life of an outstanding man, and to help continue Curtis’ dreams of higher education for his children.” http://www.une.edu

Vivid Motion, Inc. dance auditions 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vivid Motion, Inc., Portland’s “innovative and kinda quirky” dance company, is holding dance auditions for its upcoming summer show, “Sleeping Beauty,” at Warren Memorial Library, 479 Main St., Westbrook. No formal preparation needed; audition will be conducted in class style format. Many styles of dance will be included in this show, and dancers of all skill levels are welcome. This is a unique, updated all ages version of the classic fairy tale, and will be performed July 15-17 at Lucid Stage in Portland. FMI please visit www.vividmotion.org

Julia Spencer-Fleming book signing 11:15 a.m. Book signing with Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of “One Was a Soldier,” the latest in the Clare Fergusson/ Russ Van Alstyne mystery series, at the Cathedral Shop, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland, 772-5434.

PHS baseball boosters pasta dinner 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Portland High School Baseball Boosters Pasta Dinner. A meatball and pasta fundraising dinner which includes bread, salad and dessert will be held at GR DiMillo’s Bayside, 118 Preble St. in Portland on Sunday, May 15 to benefit the Portland High School Baseball team.

There will be two seatings — 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets will be available in advance and at the door for $10 per person. Children under 5 will be admitted for free with a paying adult. Please help support Portland High Baseball.

For more information contact Tracey Scala at 232-0140 or scalatracey@aol.com.

Doll tea party 1 p.m. Join Victoria Mansion for an elegant doll tea party at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St. in Portland.

Guests are invited to bring their dolls and enjoy a selection of fruit, tea sandwiches, and lemonade and participate in making crafts with designer Sandy Riley. There will be a selection of teas and scones provided by Nellie’s Tea of South Portland. Tea princesses will be crowned. There will be live music with classical guitarist, Brian Callaghan; doll display by Marion Bunton of N. Anson, Maine; party favors; door prizes and hand-crafted doll pillows and doll hats for each child. A self-guided tour of the historic Victoria Mansion at 109 Danforth Street follows the event. Tickets are $25, $20 (Victoria Mansion & Maine Irish Heritage Center members). Reserve your seat by calling 772-4841 see next page

Daily Sun reader Bette Smart gets her copy at the Payson Park box

Page 16 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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wiggle, clap, and most of all, have fun listening and learning with PSO musicians. Teacher’s Materials are available for download PortlandSymphony.org. KinderKonzerts are sponsored by Time Warner Cable, with additional support provided by Acadia Insurance, Target and Macy’s. Tickets for the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s KinderKonzerts are $4. For additional information and reservations visit www. portlandsymphony.org or call 773-6128.

Maine College of Art commencement 1 p.m. Maine College of Art will hold its 100th commencement exercises at on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the State Theatre in Portland. The commencement marks the completion of the curriculum for 74 students in the undergraduate program who will receive Bachelor of Fine Art degrees and 11 students in the graduate program who will receive Master of Fine Art in Studio Art degrees. The commencement speaker is William Pope.L, a multi-disciplinary artist and educator. In 2002, Pope.L mounted eRacism, a solo exhibition in the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art. The show was accompanied by a catalog, William Pope.L: The Friendliest Black Artist in America published by MIT Press. After providing early support, the National Endowment for the Arts denied funding for the exhibition. Additional funders stepped forward to support the traveling retrospective. As part of the exhibition, Pope.L worked with undergraduate students at MECA and the local community, conducting a public crawl that tested physical endurance and examined issues of power. He returned to the ICA at MECA in 2004 with his Black Factory, an art installation on wheels that invited the public to bring objects that represented blackness to be transformed into objects for sale. For more information, see www.meca.edu.

‘Horse-Drawn Summer Delivery Vehicles’ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Skyline Farm Carriage Museum, 95 The Lane, North Yarmouth, is hosting its new exhibit, “HorseDrawn Summer Delivery Vehicles,’ from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday from May 15 through Aug. 21, where the public can explore horse-drawn delivery vehicles commonly seen on Maine roads in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Examples of what you’ll see are a Hay Wagon, Oil Delivery Wagon, Postal Buggy, Peddler’s Wagon, Grain Wagon, Hearse, and Pall Bearers’ Wagon. The exhibit also examines the inventions of Thomas Goodall and family who ran innovative factories that produced fitted horse blankets and plush lap robes sold under the Chase label and employed thousands of Maine workers at Sanford Mills into the 1950’s. More than a dozen unusual hitching posts and small weights round out the display. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, please call Gregory Cuffey, 239-5782, or visit www. skylinefarm.org.

Monday, May 16 Naked Shakespeare in Freeport 7 p.m. The “Naked Shakespeare” series showcases the Bard’s text through performances presented without sets and costumes, allowing the audience’s imagination to take center stage. Performances are May 16 at 7 p.m. and the third Monday of each month through September. Tickets are $10; pay at the door. The Freeport Factory Stage is located at 5 Depot St., downtown Freeport, just one block east of L.L. Bean. 865-5505. www.freeportfactory.com

Join the conversation

Embroiderers’ Guild of America 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. SOME Chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America will hold their annual meeting/luncheon at the Portland Country Club. There will be a smocking lecture and class in addition to the luncheon. FMI: 829-6111.

Wednesday, May 18 ReEmergence CommUNITY Party Join the St. Lawrence Arts Center on Wednesday, May 18 as local Portland authors Crash Barry (left) and John McDonald present an evening of their “blunt, charming and ever so comical local tales from their most recent publications.” (COURTESY PHOTO)

Cheverus High School student art show 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cheverus High School will host its annual Student Art Show May 16-20, 2011. This year’s show will involve more students than ever and present a large range of styles, techniques and types of art. The work to be presented is impressive in its scope and demonstrates the wide variety of art interests and talents of Cheverus students. The show will feature art in glorious colors and multiple textures, and will showcase a wide variety of mediums: watercolor, oil, three-dimensional work, wood prints, stained glass, calligraphy and pen and ink. The Art Department, through teacher John Frisoli, challenges students to use their creative abilities to express their thoughts and inspirations through art. Visitors will enjoy viewing these inspired works. The show will be judged by a local artist.

Top three winners will be selected and other students will receive honorable mention awards. The public is welcome to visit and view the show at Loyola Hall on the Cheverus High School Campus, 267 Ocean Ave., Portland, from May 16-20, 2011 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Tuesday, May 17 KinderKonzerts 9:30 a.m. From honks and beeps, to sirens and squeaks, the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Percussion Trio will “transport” audiences in Maine through a musical exploration of the sounds of inventions that move people and things. Fifteen KinderKonzerts in six Maine communities will introduce children ages four to seven to the percussion instruments in a fun, interactive program. “Sounds All Around” will be presented May 17 through May 27 and marks the conclusion of the 2010-2011 series of KinderKonzerts.

These 35-minute concerts encourage active participation from the audience of kids encouraging them to sing, dance,

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Community Art Show, followed by Dance Party from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.: Dance Party featuring Hoboe (rock) and Mystic Vibes (reggae). The League of Young Voters Education Fund will be hosting its sixth annual ReEmergence CommUNITY Party! “Each spring, over 300 young people join us for this exciting event to celebrate local arts and music, and to educate and engage our peers on local issues. This year’s theme is ‘CommUNITY: Embracing Portland’s Cultural Diversity.’ We will highlight Portland artists, cultural dancers, and cultural organizations that work together to preserve the cultural diversity for which Portland is so well known. The evening will feature writers, painters, a wide variety of dancing entertainment including African dancers, break dancers, belly dancers, and fire dancers, as well as local music and entertainment. You will also get a chance to vote for your favorite cupcake in our Cupcake Mayor contest.”

SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St.

Crash Barry and John McDonald reading 7 p.m. “Two Maines,” a reading by local authors Crash Barry and John McDonald. Local Portland authors Crash Barry and John McDonald will present an evening of their “blunt, charming and ever so comical local tales from their most recent publications.” John McDonald has been telling stories around the state for years, and his weekly column is published in many Maine newspapers. John is also the founder of the Maine Storyteller Festival and his talk show can be heard each weekend on WGAN in Portland. John will read excerpts from his book “A Moose and a Lobster Walk into a bar.” Crash Barry worked for a decade as a print and radio reporter in Portland, specializing in his own style of undercover journalism. He stayed in homeless shelters and flophouses, cleaned nasty apartments and restaurants, infiltrated religious cults and hate groups, to provide detailed reports from a unique perspective. A former media critic, talk show producer and guidebook author, Crash Barry also labored as a janitor, bartender and bouncer. Crash will be reading from his freshly published novel “Sex, Drugs and Blueberries.” For more on this reading and these two Islandport Press authors please visit www.twomaines.com. General seating $10. (Not suited for children.) St. Lawrence Arts Center. Tickets at: www.stlawrencearts.org.

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Assistant City Manager Pat Finnigan has served as acting city manager since then.

All told, 65 people from across the U.S. applied for the city manager job, which pays more than $120,000 per year. Leeman said applicants had backgrounds that “ran the gamut,” and included well-qualified candidates from the public and private sectors.

Leeman couldn’t say if any local candidates were among the seven semi-finalists, citing confidentiality rules.

Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger and Associates, was hired by the city earlier this year to help guide the search process. Winnowing the list from 65 to seven was not easy, he said.

“It was a very good applicant pool,” Baenziger said this week in a phone interview. “There were quite a number of strong candidates, and the difficulty was narrowing it down to a reasonable number.”

Baenziger’s group completed “thorough” background checks on the seven semi-finalists — which he said can save the city from an embarrassing situation down the road.

“You don’t want someone to show up for an interview and have the council fall in love with that person, and then find out there are some issues,” he explained.

“There were quite a number of strong candidates, and the difficulty was narrowing it down to a reasonable number.” — Consultant Colin Baenziger It’s not clear how many finalists will be named, although Baenziger said he typically recommends municipalities usually interview at least five candidates. The reason? He said many city councilors don’t know what they want until they see it firsthand.

“I like more (finalists) rather than less,” he explained. “I think you have a better chance of seeing it than if you have a few.”

Leeman, who has been involved in the past three city manager searches during her nearly 30 years on the city council, said this search isn’t all that different than those before it.

She noted that the process was moving forward on schedule, and that she is still hoping to have a city manager hired and in place by the end of summer.

“It’s been a very engaging process. I think we have some very excellent candidates, and I will be excited when we can finally roll out the results of an awful lot of work that’s gone in to getting it to this point in the process,” she said.