Chowder

chowder a tasty blend of the fabulous, noteworthy, and absurd Great Expectations

“They’re just recognizing Portland now?” is Museum of African Culture’s founder Oscar Mokeme’s response to USA Today’s singling our city out for its “rich mixture of

African communities” as one of “10 Great Towns with International Flair.” Still, “We feel deep gratitude that our museum has been chosen [to represent Portland].” museumafricanculture.org

This is an unforgettable, intimate time of your life, so why not let Eliot native Elizabeth Barnes cast your baby bump as a sculpture? “I usually cast at 81/2 months, but some people record each trimester.” Composition variations include whole families, “with the arms of the mother, father, and siblings [what, no nasty uncle?], even adding, in the future, the hands of the new baby at six months.” $200-300, plus travel. artfulexpectations.com By comparison, body masks from Tanzania’s Makonde tribe (lower left), such as a 23-inch-tall piece from the early 20th century, are going for $5,200 at Sarajo.

A loophole in recent economic-recovery legislation allows for a “$4,100 tax credit if it falls into the criteria of being street-legal and purchased before December 31,” says Orlando Peña of Country Club Enterprise in Saco of his firm’s luxury golf carts. This applies to electric-powered, low-speed vehicles (under 35 mph) on Maine’s inspectionfree offshore islands such as Great Diamond and Peaks, along with a $4 annual registration fee, excise tax, sales tax, and insurance. Patriots are invited to call 800-576-1771 or visit ccegolfcars.com or luxurycarts.com Melting Pot

Brook Where? Brook, here! “I’ve moved to 37B Wharf Street to get more space and to open up a retail presence,” says Brook There fashion designer Brook DeLorme [first profiled in “Longfellow Serenade,” December 2008]. “I love to see how excited the customers are about the fit, colors, and fabrics. Business has been really good, better than I expected.” And next door? “I’m opening an art gallery, 37A, with [Rogues Gallery designer] Daniel Pepice. brookthere.com

Snowball Express

Letter of Letter of the Law the Law See, They See, They What’s old is new again.

Return Return Back when downtown Portland had a giant incandescent Coca Cola sign in Congress Square, we could also boast of a curved, Art Deco Walgreen Drug Store from 1942 to 1956. Torn down during urban renewal, the site of the former Walgreen store is the empty plaza right beside the Eastland Park Hotel. At press time, at least two Walgreens are being built in this city (Northgate and Woodford’s Corner), with another in the works downtown. Welcome back, guys.

“It’s nice to see everyone get out and enjoy themselves during winter,“ WinteRush coordinator Nicole Clegg says of the festival designed to transform the Forest City from February 6-14. “We’re looking for a crowd of over 3,000 this year.” winterush.com

All Fired Up

Who needs volcanic Diet Coke? Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz [“10 Most Intriguing People in Maine,” November 2008] are now making fire dance to a live audience in Buckfield with Pachelbel’s Canon as part of a TV pilot. eepybird.com