APRIL 2020.VOL. 20, NO. 04. PORTLAND, MAINE.
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Dr. Oren on Wellness During Crisis The following is taken from an interview of Oren Gersten, M.D. of Portland Direct Primary Care done by West End News (WEN) contributor Cameron Autry for his podcast, The Southern Maine Report. Dr. Oren also writes a monthly column for the WEN.The full audio version of this interview can be found at: www.thesouthernmainereport.com/podcast/28orengerstenmd.* By Cameron Autry
What precautions are you tak- of several hundred people in a matter of minutes. We just What are the main concerns ing personally? don’t have a place like that in people should have in terms of For me personally, I’ve been following Maine. So it’s different. I think catching Covid-19? the CDC guidelines and the state public our risk is lower, but that
health guidelines. So, I wash my hands every time I come home. Whether I’m out shopping or walking the dog, I wash my hands when I get in the house, wash my hands after I use the bathroom, and I wash my hands before I eat. I think those are the times when you’re at highest risk of contaminating yourself. And then the social distancing part is just the new normal for everybody. But I try to get outside at least once a day. I think it’s really importI think it’s really important to vet your ant to get fresh air and exercise, since our resources, especially in a situation where normal routines are super disrupted. there’s a lot of emerging evidence all the time. So just go to the CDC website and Maine is a very rural state with look at what they’re recommending. It’s lots of wide-open spaces. Does common sense stuff like washing your this put us in a place where hands and not going to crowded places. Maine might not get hit as [A summary of guidelines from the CDC for those who are sick can be found on Page 5.] hard with the virus as more urI would refer people to the Centers for Disease Control’s website. They have really good resources there. And I would highly advise people to use that website as opposed to Googling it.When you Google something, you never know what you’re going to get.You’re going to have information from doctors right along with information from bloggers, and folks are just expressing feelings on the Internet.
doesn’t mean our risk is zero.
How does the immune system Getting some exercise is really important, too. You can do free yoga classes fight viruses? The general overview of the immune system is that we are surrounded by microorganisms living on you and me right now. In fact, some of these are helpful. Our intestines have tons of healthy gut bacteria that help us digest things. They make important vitamins that we need to sustain life. But there are pathological microorganisms that make us sick. And so, the immune system’s job is to identify those pathologic organisms and get rid of them.
ban areas like New York City?
-By Sergj / Adobe Stock
on YouTube.You can do body weight resistance even without weights at home – like push-ups, sit-ups, and planks. That’s more than enough to keep people in shape.
And then the social part of things is really important. There was a huge loneliness epidemic – especially around our elderly populations – and we know there has been research previously to show that loneliness can be a risk factor for illness and death. So, I think keeping up social connections, even if it’s just through phone calls or video visits or talking to your neighbor across the driveway from a safe distance. I don’t think we need to be scared of each other. If you’re keeping a safe distance from folks, socializing is perfectly acceptable.
Well, if you look at the nature of this disease, it’s a respiratory disease. And you have to come in contact with another person to be able to spread it. Even though Maine is super rural, we all have friends and neighbors. I don’t think there’s any town where you’re completely disconnected from friends and neighbors. So as long as you have contact with somebody else, it’s possible that Covid-19 can be spread.
What are some tips for staying healthy – both physically and mentally – during social distancing?
But I do think we’re better off than some of these super densely populated cities – because the number of interactions is so much higher there, and the potential to spread is so much higher. If you ride the subway in New York, you’re potentially going to be within an arm’s reach
My worry is that people have stockpiled things that are not that healthy to eat, like highly processed foods, prepared foods, ramen noodles, and things like that. Those are not great things to eat on a daily basis. Stick to fruits and vegetables and foods without a lot of sugar.
This interview is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine or other health care services including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this interview is at the user’s own risk. The content on this interview is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should not delay in obtaining medical advice from any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of a health care professional for any such conditions.
Page 10… Why small business is hit harder than big chains
Page 13… Micro-practices for dealing with hard times
Page 14… Sudoku, Crossword & Best Worst Trivia
*Disclaimer -By Near / Adobe Stock
IN THIS ISSUE... Page 2… Creative Portland announces Artist Relief Fund Page 3… More from Dr. Oren Gersten on crisis and wellness Page 4… La Vida Local: How to avoid election day lines Page 5... CDC advice on what to do if you are sick Page 6… The Portland Palate wonders, 'To sushi or sashimi?' Page 7... Wine for all from Boomers to Gen Z-ers
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THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
WHAT’S GOING ON
OLS COVID-19 UPDATE
In accordance with the latest recommendations from the CDC, One Longfellow Square will be postponing or cancelling all events until May 15th. We will be following the situation closely and will be sure that when we reopen we will be doing what is best for our staff, our audiences and the artists we host. Please see below for information regarding shows that have been cancelled or have been rescheduled to a new date – we will be rescheduling as many shows as possible, so if you don’t see a show you were interested in or had tickets for, check our website for updates. We’re trying to get shows rescheduled as quickly as possible, but it will take a little time before dates are set. The next few months will be hard for everyone, and venues and artists are going to be hit hard. We have some ideas for how we can continue to serve our musical community that we will be working on in the coming weeks, but if it is within your means, please consider buying artist merch or music, purchasing an OLS gift card or membership, or making a donation to OLS. In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands and practice your best social distancing.
One Longfellow Square is a nonprofit listening room style music venue hosting shows for all ages on the corner of State St. and Congress St. in downtown Portland. FRI. 3/13 -> RESCHEDULED TO 6/12 Grant Gordy & Joe K. Walsh SAT. 3/14 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Studio Two – The Early Beatles Tribute TUE. 3/17 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Josephine County WED. 3/18 - CANCELLED Holly Near THU. 3/19 - CANCELLED The Portland Jazz Orchestra FRI. 3/20 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Miss Tess & The Talkbacks SAT. 3/21 -> RESCHEDULE TO 6/25 Jonatha Brooke SUN. 3/22 - CANCELLED Raging Brass FRI. 3/27 -> RESCHEDULED TO 5/28 The Gibson Brothers
FULL SCHEDULE & TICKETS ONLINE: ONELONGFELLOWSQUARE.COM EMAIL: INFO@ONELONGFELLOWSQUARE
THU. 4/2 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA OLS & North Atlantic Blues Festival Present: Jontavious Willis FRI. 4/3 -> RESCHEDULED TO 8/21 David Wax Museum SAT. 4/4 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Alash Ensemble THU. 4/9 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Tinsley Ellis
THU. 4/16 - CANCELLED The Portland Jazz Orchestra FRI. 4/17 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA John Gorka WED. 4/22 - CANCELLED USM Student Combo Night THU. 4/23 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA OLS & State Theatre Present: Horse Feathers
THU. 4/9 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Tinsley Ellis
FRI. 4/24 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA WCLZ, OLS & State Theatre Present: John Craigie w/ Honeysuckle
FRI. 4/10 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Roomful of Blues
SAT. 4/25 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Peter Yarrow
SAT. 4/11 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA LOLS: An Evening of Local Comedy
SUN. 4/26 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief)
WED. 4/15 -> RESCHEDULED, DATE TBA Pierre Bensusan
THU. 4/30 -> RESCHEDULED TO 8/26 Griffin House
PORTLAND ARTIST RELIEF FUND
EVENTS AT BAYSIDE BOWL 58 Alder Street, Portland | (207) 791-2695 Bayside Bowl is currently closed due to COVID-19.
We plan to re-open as soon as possible and look forward to seeing you on the lanes! Check our website for updates on future events: www.baysidebowl.com/musicandevents Have your Bash at Bayside! Available for parties, reunions, receptions, bar mitzvas & corporate events.
WWW.BAYSIDEBOWL.COM
Portland, ME - As the City’s official nonprofit arts agency, Creative Portland’s COVID-19 resilience plan is to create and manage the Portland Artist Relief Fund, an emergency initiative to help our amazing local artists in the gig economy who have no other funding sources. We are taking the lead to consolidate efforts into the management of one local artist relief fund. As a convener and facilitator, Creative Portland practices community buy-in and inclusion to assemble volunteer curatorial teams and juries to serve the community. Many local artists have no savings and no income to buy groceries or prescriptions.
ECONOMIC IMPACT It is crucial to support the arts community as pillars of our local economy. The Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis in the Maine BEA 2015 report indicated $1.5 billion in statewide arts and cultural production, and Maine was 24th among all states in value added growth. In comparison to Maine’s one-billion-dollar lobster industry, the arts make headlines as a huge industry sector in our state. Likewise, in the nonprofit sector alone, the 5th Arts & Economic Prosperity (AEP5) 2017 report, commissioned by the nonprofit national organization Americans for the Arts (AFTA), validated the stimulating cultural life of Portland during more certain times. In the last seven years, the city has grown significantly with expenditures of $49 million in 2012 jumping to $75 million in the current report.
Portland’s customized report. Portland has become a magnet for anyone seeking a vibrant, eclectic and creative lifestyle on the coast of Maine. We must protect and sustain our unique and energetic arts community.
OUR IMMEDIATE GOAL Creative Portland’s goal this month is to raise $50,000 to disperse a $500 stipend to 100 artists to help make ends meet. Although we recognize that we do not have the capacity to help all artists recover, we will continue to raise funds for as long as this unpredictable pandemic unfolds.
GOVERNANCE Creative Portland has assembled a review committee of arts community leaders and stakeholders (representing Creative Portland, Indigo Arts Alliance, Running with Scissors, Space, Damnationland/StoryBoard) to select applicants.
TIMELINE The application, which will provide specific requirements for eligibility, is targeted for online access on March 30th. Funds will be dispersed by Mid-May.
In addition to the creation of the Artists Relief Fund, Creative Portland has launched a crowd-funding fundraiser on Facebook for smaller donation amounts, allowing everybody in the community who rely on Portland’s vibrant cultural life and Forty-six non-profit arts and cultural who appreciate our City’s unique artistic organizations in Portland responded to and performing arts talent to contribute the national study in order to produce to the bucket.
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
A Primary Care Perspective on COVID-19 By Dr. Oren Gersten
It’s important not to understate the seriousness of the health crisis we are currently experiencing. Life has been turned up-side-down for families around the world. In our own neighborhoods people are experiencing food insecurity, loss of income, and fear of becoming gravely ill. In the age of the internet and mass media, information is readily accessible. Infectious disease and public health experts are disseminating important information alongside bloggers, commentators, and speculators. Primary care doctors have a unique view into this situation. We are experienced in treating various diseases but also taking a holistic view on human health. There will be no statistics or new COVID data shared in this article. This is simply a local doctor’s perspective on where we are and how we can understand our collective situation.
HEALTH CARE
COMMUNITY SUPPORT Even before social distancing became the norm many of our friends and neighbors were already feeling isolated. Especially in elderly populations loneliness had been shown to have major detrimental health effects. Community funds are being set up to help support families who have lost income. In medicine we call income Socioeconomic Status. This is known to be a Social Determinant of Health. In general people with less income have worse health outcomes. We need to pay special close attention to vulnerable populations during this health crisis.
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
Compassionate & Innovative Memory Care Residents of Fallbrook Woods, along with an accomplished local artist, displayed plenty of imagination while developing ideas for this enchanting mural. Their talent and enthusiasm continues to inspire and amaze us…every single day.
For more information or to arrange a tour, contact Susan at (207) 878–0788 or visit www.fallbrookwoods.com
Some of the most vulnerable among us are the homeless. Often suffering from chronic disease, crowded living conditions, and lack of good nutrition homeless people can be more easily susceptible to infection. Some cities in the U.S. are paying to house homeless people in hotels during COVID.
COVID has taken over our health consciousness. The majority of our re- ACTION STEPS sources are dedicated to halting the In addition to CDC recommendaspread of disease. Most primary care clintions, consider the following steps to inics have scaled back and turned to telecrease your wellness during the time of health. Elective procedures have been canCOVID: celled. The irony is that all of the health problems that were present before the 1. Limit media exposure to 1 or 2 pandemic are still there. Some are event trusted sources for less than an amplified. hour a day. We are being forced to re-assess what is truly necessary. This is not all bad. If telemedicine is a good idea in the time of COVID, health systems may adopt it after the pandemic is over to ease communications with patients and relieve the burden of frequent office visits. We are also realizing that patients are able to care for and monitor their health conditions with guidance rather than in-person directives from doctors. For example, accurate and easy to use home blood pressure cuffs are being used by patients with hypertension to manage this condition remotely. I also worry about what effect isolation will have on people’s food choices. We already know that unhealthy diets are a major driver of the many modern ills, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Shortages in both money and fresh foods may further exacerbate these issues.
2. Continue self-care activities like healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep. 3. Consider helping a neighbor or community member however you can. Altruism can help the giver and receiver to feel better. 4. Try common sense solutions for health concerns first, if you are concerned ask a professional. 5. Think about what we can do individually and collectively to improve the world both during and after this crisis. Oren Gersten is a board-certified family doctor who brings his passion for connecting and caring for people to his private practice, Portland Direct Primary Care, at 27 Ocean Street, #3, South Portland. Reach him at (207) 618-9792 or visit the website at PortlandDirectCare.com.
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Paid for and authorized by Charles For Portland
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OPINION
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
GUEST OPINION How Staying Apart Could Bring Us Together By Charles Skold We’re living in a strange time of self-isolation. Our favorite bars and hangout spots are closed. Public events are cancelled. Even our usual get-togethers with friends have been put on pause. “Social-distancing” is a lonely sport, for sure. But just because we’re apart doesn’t mean we’re alone. Our human desire to reach out is stronger than ever, and our communal response to this crisis shows just how inseparably connected we are. As we trudge on, here are three ways staying apart can bring us together more than ever.
Whether it’s giving money to someone who lost their job or getting groceries for a neighbor who can’t risk the exposure, there are many ways we can work together to help our community. Prioritize the public good. Throughout this crisis, people have been putting the common interest above their own. Health care professionals, grocers, and other essential employees have been showing up to work at great personal risk. Everyone else has been staying home to slow the spread of the virus and to buy our hospitals more time. And while these sacrifices are noble, they aren’t enough on their own. This crisis proves that our health and safety is dependent on everyone else being healthy and safe, too. How is someone supposed to shelter in place if they don’t have a home? How can someone seek timely medical attention if they don’t have regular access to health care? How should someone stay home from work when they’re sick if their employer can dock their pay? We need to build a city and society that prioritizes the public good. Not only for the sake of charity to one another, but in recognition that a healthy society means greater safety for us all.
Focus on our personal relationships. Many of us have been using our oddly emptied schedules to spend time connecting with friends and family virtually or by phone. Check in on Grandma and ask about her experience in the wartime effort. Call up an old friend and hear about everything new in their life. Schedule a video chat for your group of pals— whether you’re minutes or miles apart. Last week, my cousin created a “Sunday Dinner” Zoom call for our entire family, from Portland to Lincolnville to Las Vegas. What a treat for us all to be in the same “room” again talking over each other for an hour—something usually reserved for holidays. Take advantage of this free As we stay home and do our best to time—and modern communications—to stay apart, remember we are not alone. invest in lifelong relationships. We are in this together. Let’s keep calling Help others in our community. So our friends, helping our neighbors, and many Mainers have responded to this building a future that’s healthy and safe crisis with a desire to help. I’ve seen for all of us. This won’t be easy, but we’ll Twitter threads sharing important infor- get through it together. We are more conmation, NextDoor conversations about nected than we think. Staying apart, we are paying rent, and even uplifting Facebook closer than we’ve ever been. groups like Quarantine Karaoke seeking to brighten each other’s days. One group Charles Skold lives in Portland’s West mobilizing to help organize peer-to-peer End and is a candidate for State Repassistance is Mainers Together, where I’ve resentative in District 38 (CharlesForbeen volunteering to help match commu- Portland.com). He holds a Master of nity needs with neighbors who can assist Theological Studies and a Master in (sign up at MainersTogether.com if you Public Administration from Harvard need help or can be a helper). University. READ THE WEST END NEWS ONLINE
www.thewestendnews.com
Editor’s Note: As of the March 16th filing deadline, Michael Flaherty, Charles Skold, Barbara Wood, and Jordan Zema are running in the Democratic primary for Maine House of Representatives District 38 on June 9th, and there are no candidates on the ballot in the Republican primary.
Community Leaders Business Owners Artists & Other Interesting Folk of Southern Maine
Podcast available on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts and Spotify
LA VIDA LOCAL: IRREGULAR NOTES ON WEST END LIFE
UPDATING THE PERENNIAL RESOLUTION By Rosanne Graef
Okay, I’ve been thinking about this column ever since I submitted the last one and wondering what scintillating or even mildly interesting subject I’d settle on. Signs of spring? Maine’s Bicentennial? One Hundred Years of Women’s Suffrage? While I dithered over the possibilities, crocuses bloomed, daffodils (including the small daffodil tribute garden at Clark Street Park) emerged, birds changed their songs, the Bicentennial weekend celebrations got scrapped in favor of physical distancing, Portland had a 5-day curfew, and The Way Life Should Be pretty much got turned upside-down.
the general voter turn-out being larger than forecasted. Despite those problems, working this election was an extremely positive experience—people were patient, friendly, and uncomplaining. No one had a hissy fit or shouting match, even when we ran out of “I Voted Today” stickers!
When poll workers made general announcements, reassurances, and inquiries to ensure that folks were in the right line and thanked voters for their understanding and forbearance, the voters’ responses were often along the lines of “I have to do We also had an election on March this,” “This is not just for me, it’s for oth3rd, and I pretty much settled on that as ers,” and “I have a responsibility to vote.” These sentiments may sound clichéd, but my topic. they’re heartening when spoken sincerely.
OVERCOMING ELECTION DAY CHALLENGES Although it may seem like ancient history now, this first presidential primary after a 20-year hiatus, along with a people’s veto attempt to overturn vaccination requirements and a local referendum on rank-choice voting, resulted in an unexpectedly large turnout here in Portland. Although it’s always gratifying to see large numbers of voters taking the time and making the effort to come vote, that’s not without its challenges. I work as an election clerk at the Expo and we experienced the difficulties of running short of primary ballots, registration cards, and permission to vote slips, which contributed to long lines and wait times. In addition, we were somewhat understaffed due to some scheduled workers calling out sick and -WEN File Photo
AVOIDING LONG LINES Ten days after the March 3rd election, Maine had its first confirmed case of COVID-19. With its 2- to 14-day incubation period, it’s easy to imagine how simply this virus could spread from crowded polling places. Hence the title of this month’s column: Updating the Perennial Resolution. In case you’re unfamiliar with that term, the perennial resolution is “No more procrastinating.” I remake it at every deadline and New Year’s Eve, and it’s one I’m recommending to you. Maine does have same-day registration, which is great, but pre-election procrastination can turn into hours of waiting by scores of people in close quarters at the polls. If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote, if you’ve moved, or want to switch parties, take care of it with your city clerk before the next election. It’s not just for you, it’s for others. Rosanne Graef is a West End resident. Readers may reach her by email at lavidalocalwen@gmail.com.
SUBMISSIONS WEN is a community newspaper and we need your voice! Share your submissions with thewestendnews@gmail.com or send to: West End News Attn: Editor 795 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102 • Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words. Include your name, neighborhood, and phone or email for confirmation. • Op-eds should be no more than 650 words and include a brief biography of 1-2 sentences. • WEN also accepts poetry and photo submissions. Deadline for publication is the fourth Friday of every month. Our column space is very limited, publication is not guaranteed, and submissions may be edited for length and content.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
What to do if you are sick
Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recomWear a facemask: If possible, put mended that people with the virus limit on a facemask before you enter the buildcontact with animals until more informa- ing. If you can’t put on a facemask, try to tion is known. keep a safe distance from other people (at When possible, have another member least 6 feet away). of your household care for your animals Follow care instructions from while you are sick with COVID-19. If you your healthcare provider and local STAY HOME EXCEPT TO GET must care for your pet or be around ani- health department: Your local health mals while you are sick, wash your hands authorities will give instructions on checkMEDICAL CARE before and after you interact with them. ing your symptoms and reporting inforStay home: People who are mildly WEAR A FACEMASK IF YOU mation. ill with COVID-19 can recover at home. ARE SICK OR CARING FOR If you develop emergency warning Do not leave, except to get medical care. OTHERS signs for COVID-19 get medical attenDo not visit public areas. You should wear a facemask when tion immediately. Stay in touch with your doctor. you are around other people and before Call before you get medical care. Be sure you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If EMERGENCY WARNING to get care if you feel worse or you think the person who is sick is not able to wear SIGNS INCLUDE*: it is an emergency. a facemask (for example, because it causes • Difficulty breathing or shortness of Avoid public transportation: trouble breathing), then people who live in breath Avoid using public transportation, the home should stay in a different room. When caregivers enter the room of the • Persistent pain or pressure in the ride-sharing, or taxis. sick person, they should wear a facemask. chest HOME ISOLATION: SEPARATE Visitors, other than caregivers, are not • New confusion or inability to arouse YOURSELF FROM OTHERS IN recommended.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, follow the steps below to help protect other people in your home and community. [The following is a summary of information found on the CDC website. If you can access the internet, you may find more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.]
MONITOR YOUR SYMPTOMS
Stay away from others: As much Seek medical attention but call as possible, you should stay in a specific first: Seek medical care right away if your “sick room” and away from other people illness is worsening (for example, if you in your home. Use a separate bathroom, have difficulty breathing). if available. Call your doctor before going Limit contact with pets and an- in: Before going to the doctor’s office or imals: You should restrict contact with emergency room, call ahead and tell them pets and other animals, just like you would your symptoms. They will tell you what to around other people. do.
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HOW TO DISCONTINUE HOME ISOLATION
Steps provided by the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
YOUR HOME
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions: If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened: You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers), AND Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened: You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers), AND
Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness *This list is not all inclusive. Please of breath have improved), consult your medical provider for any AND other symptoms that are severe or conYou received two negative tests in a cerning. row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will folCall 911 if you have a medical low CDC guidelines. emergency: Notify the operator that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. In all cases, follow the guidance of If possible, put on a facemask before med- your healthcare provider and local health ical help arrives. department. •
Bluish lips or face
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FOOD & DRINK
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
THE PORTLAND PALATE
KING OF THE ROLL
For my main, I combined two appetizers: shrimp and vegetable tempura, and the California roll sushi maki. The classic roll came in six bite-sized sections, served with thin-sliced ginger, and a fiery wasabi paste on the side. The tempura medley included carrot, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini and onion atop a bed of cabbage. Battered shrimp and veggies alike were not at all greasy and were melt-in-your-mouth light. Jon’s Bento Box included the same delicious tempura combination alongside a demi salad with tangy-sweet dressing, white rice, standard-good beef teriyaki, and fresh orange slices. Miso also came with the Bento, but he passed on it, as did I, as we’re both rarely interested in the soybean-based, salty soup.
675 Congress Street, Portland | 207-828-8880 Review and Photos by James Fereira
There is no doubt that Portland’s food scene has encountered an explosion of mostly excellent Asian restaurants over the past decade or so. Many of them are chef-owned and have evolved as a by-product of our city’s growing diversity and fortune in attracting some of the world’s best culinary talent.
To simplify, Sushi is a prepared vinegared rice dish accompanied by a variety of ingredients, which can be either raw or cooked. By contrast, Sashimi is fresh raw fish or meat, eaten with soy sauce. For the longest time I got them backward, and to this day I routinely have to brush-up on my terminology.
I’ve noticed that the majority of these FOOD & DRINK now offer menu selections from a growWe initially waited for longer than ing variety of Asian cultures. Whether it’s a twist on a traditional Pad Thai or a com- necessary to place our order, given that pletely new dish created by merging dispa- we were the only customers in the dining room.We each ordered wine: for Jon, a Pirate parts, ‘Asian fusion’ has arrived. not Noir and for me a Pinot Grigio. I asked So is the case at King of the Roll, an for our server to deliver mine before the often walked-passed but under-reviewed apps came up, which didn’t happen. restaurant located in Longfellow Square. We asked for American flatware rathOpened in 2005, there seems little is known about its chef-owner, John, except er than chopsticks, which we are admitthat he’s friendly, and most always on- tedly inept at mastering. They arrived in site, according to a handful of regular fans time for us to get cracking on our startwho’ve written reviews.They extol his skill ers: grilled mussels topped with crabmeat and food with near unwavering adoration, and Kani Sunomono (seasoned crab meat and it’s easy to see why. While the exten- tossed with sliced cucumber). The latter sive menu is largely Japanese, with a focus was refreshing and light, with just the right on Sushi, it is also more straight-forward touch of vinegar and salt [below, left]. than those of many of his competitors. I have been to King of the Roll many times and have personally never had anything less than a satisfying meal.
TO SUSHI OR SASHIMI On this visit, friend Jon and I wandered-in for an early dinner on a quiet February weekday. He had never been and admitted that he was mostly unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine, not that I am anything even close to an expert. Discerning the difference between a Donburi and a Kare is an esoteric challenge, especially when I still get confused about how Sushi is different from Sashimi.
ATMOSPHERE & SERVICE In atmosphere, King of the Roll is colorfully decorated, and tea candles embellish the tables and nicely lit dining room. The light-hearted ping of traditional Japanese music played discreetly overhead. In warmer months, there’s a patio open on the State Street side of the restaurant. It’s always great to be able to sit outdoors, though the downside are the smokers, and exhaust fumes, and noise from the incessant traffic careening up the hill in a mad dash to beat the light. Plus, I always feel conspicuous (and a bit guilty for my privilege) given the presence of penurious locals peering inquisitively over the wall.
King of the Roll California Roll (above), and Bento Box with shrimp and vegetable tempura, rice, beef teriyaki, orange slices and salad (below).
WE’LL BE RETURNING We were brought lychee and strawberry-flavored candies as breath mints along with the $56.00 check. This did not include gratuity, but seemed to be a reasonable price, especially as we saw that one of the appetizers had been omitted from the bill.
I will definitely return another time, We had two servers attending our and I think Jon liked it well enough that he front window booth along Congress would also. Street. An older woman who greeted us, King of the Roll holds its own in Longtook our order, delivered the tab, was perfunctory by all accounts, and never broke fellow Square and among the myriad Asian a smile. More amicable was a younger restaurants both on- and off-peninsula. woman who served our dishes, cleared Main dining room and patio are wheelthem, and refilled our water glasses. Al- chair accessible. It is located on Congress together service on this visit was good, Street METRO bus routes. Parking is on though empty plates which ought to have the street, and it’s a short walk from many We thought the mussels [above, right], been cleared weren’t for a period. West End locations. two of them served warm over shredded cabbage and nicely crafted with sesame, James Fereira has a background in public speaking, ten pin bowling, and scallion and roe, paled in comparison. The writing poetry. In his spare time, he enjoys having a good cry and questioning flavors just didn’t come together, and we authority. agreed, it wasn’t worth the price tag given James can be reached at ThePortlandPalate@gmail.com. the taste and amuse-bouche portion.
Fresh Approach The West End’s Meat Market Celebrating 28 years in the neighborhood!
Fresh Meat, Groceries, Produce, Dairy, Wine & Beer, Bakery, Deli, Freshly Prepared Salads & Sandwiches, Lunch-2-Go, Seating Available
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FOOD & DRINK
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
LAYNE'S WINE GIG
WINE: FASTENED OR FLUID? A Tour of the Different Tastes of the Generations
MILLENNIALS: 22.1%. of the Today, we are going to take a gener- U.S. population
By Layne Witherell
ational taste tour. Included are Boomers, They are a combination of Peter Pan Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, with a look meets Henry David Thoreau. Everything at and thoughts on what is in their glass… that they imbibe must be completely new. if they even use a glass. Artisanal, artisanal, artisanal. What, no BOOMERS: 22.9% of the U.S. additives? Funk rules the day. The entire canon of 20th century modern, clean erpopulation ror-free winemaking has become replaced by astringent bitterness under the banner of “GEEKINESS.” Recently, at a local wine bar, I cheekily said, “Just pour me something blind – your choice.” It was orange! Like a tangerine that had sat in the sun for far too long. Omero Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, 2018 ($25.00-30.00 bottle). Classic millennial orange wine from white wine skins that had percolated on its juice. The definition of funk. Also, the definition of Peter Pan meets Henry David Thoreau. You think The picture of my younger self (above) about this wine and you must work hard is an one-on-one interview with Robert while you are thinking about it. This is the Mondavi for an article titled “Wine Vision- definition of fluidity. ary,” in Style Weekly, Richmond, Virginia, While I was thinking, it brought me May 15th, 2002. We were tasting (drinkback to a favorite meal at the Moine ing) his wineries’ 1994 and 1999 Private Echanson Restaurant and Wine Bar in Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, Valley Quebec City. A little beef tongue tartar at $150.00 per bottle. Drop dead magnifmarinated and served with wild bluebericence. ries, sea asparagus, polenta, and cream The reasons that I mention this is that sauce. Now that was geekiness. I get it, I boomers as a generation were fastened to finally get it, and will try to spend some a small group of wine types, most notably time worrying about it. cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and the occasional sauvignon blanc, not to forget GEN Z: 24.3% of the U.S. French Burgundy and Bordeaux when, population even on our cramped budgets, they were The execs in all the beverage compaaffordable. We were close to the first generation to “discover” wine in Ameri- nies are freaked out over where this genca. Hence, the photo of me climbing out eration is or is not going: 90 million strong of my skin in the presence of one of the and everyone is courting them. The quest for the Z-ers will make the advertising ti“founders of modern wine.” rade over the X-ers look like lightweight Food of choice was always Julia Child fare. Social media is the Z-ers weapon of dishes. The wines were classic Napa fruit choice. They will change the definition of meets a touch of earth with raspberries, fluidity in a nanosecond. spices, and plums. We were fastened and Thoughts: wine as an anesthetic, not a still are. I had a recent vintage of regular Napa Cabernet by Mondavi ($30.00 bot- journey. Pot. Maybe not. Brands could last a minute, not a generation. Seeking after tle) and it clearly didn’t disappoint. “natural beverages” and choosing some by GEN Xers: 19% of the U.S. surprise. What goes with .99 cent frozen ramen and mozzarella sticks? They don’t population have to grow into their skepticism – they Unfortunately, they didn’t have the have it already. Gender neutral, planttiming to be in the first wave of wine vi- based couch surfing beverages could be a sionaries. They had to do it secondhand solution until they figure one out for sure. via the 24-hour news cycle, but they had a calmer, more well-ordered lifestyle than BEER PEEPS the boomers. They found wine through The Ruby Grapefruit White Claw the advertising “heat seeking missile of Hard Seltzer ($1.50 a can), malt-based marketing information.” Yellow Tail Shibeverage, that I am drinking now has a fanraz “the kangaroo of fun and frivolity” tastic slight hint of grapefruit nose, then it ($10.00 bottle), Kendall Jackson Vintners fades in flavor to nothingness. The probReserve Chardonnay “a gourmet meal by lem here is that every other wine in this a master chef” (all 1.7 million cases of it article ends with a finish, a lingering fareyearly – those are a lot of gourmet meals) well. This does not. Is this the beginning or ($12.00-15.00 bottle). the end of Gen Z? Or, is there a twerking Xers are mostly fastened, but with emoji label in their future replacing that the sway of daily advertising can verge gentle wave like graphic on the can? Stay into the fluid (see Butter Chardonnay and tuned. Jam Cellars ($15.00 bottle) or Josh CelEVENTS, TALKS & lars ads for “Mr. Family and gratefulness”) PRIVATE TASTINGS CAN ($12.00-15.00 bottle). These are wines BE ARRANGED AT that you drink with your mom. Have them lvwitherell@gmail.com with her famous meatloaf. Layne has been a professional in the wine business for many decades as a teacher, importer, writer, competition judge, and winery CEO. He was awarded a Master Knight of the Vine for the pioneering work he did in the Oregon wine industry. His website is http://winemaniacs.wordpress/blog.
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THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
The sun himself is weak when he first rises...
Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.
...and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.
Let everyone sweep in front of his own door and the whole world will be clean.
Tough times never last, but tough people do!
Be so happy that when other people look at you they become happy too!
Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts!
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
Don’t worry, be happy. Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
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THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
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Better to be busy than to be busy worrying!
If you’re going through hell, keep going!
Don’t worry ’bout a thing, cause every little thing’s gonna be alright.
That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.
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THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
Disruption Worse for Local Business than Big Chains
By Mary Alice Scott
Writing a column that will be relevant for the whole month of April 2020 feels like an unusually daunting task. I am writing this at the end of March, when it has been hard to keep up with changing recommendations and legislation on any given day, let alone for a whole month.
In our communications with Maine’s congressional delegation, we cited a study from 2016 that indicates half of small businesses have less than 27 days of cash reserves – and restaurants have an average of only 16 days.
These small local businesses operate on thin margins, and as a percentage, doCOVID-19 has dramatically changed nate much more to charitable non-profits the lives of everyone in our communi- and give-back to their communities than ty, and the individuals behind our local big chain stores do. businesses – their owners and their staff We entered this public health crisis – have been particularly hard hit. At this point, the City of Portland has extended with a system that advantaged corporate their Stay at Home order until April 27th, consolidation and did not enforce anticontinuing the closure of non-essential trust measures. Although small businesses businesses to at least their public-facing did receive some funding from the federal stimulus package, large corporations operations. received access to a much larger pool of Rather than trying to predict the fu- funds with fewer restrictions on the usture or make suggestions for how to sup- ages. port local businesses that may or may not At Portland Buy Local, we always urge be relevant in the month ahead, I thought I would spend a little time talking about the our community to support local businesspolicy and structural reasons that this es through every means they can, but we public health crisis has led to more know that public policy is what shapes disruption for local businesses than the ability for local businesses to succeed. COVID-19 has changed the landscape for for larger companies. our communities in so many ways, and In mid-March, we were proud to put local businesses acted as leaders during forth proposals to the federal government the emergence of this public health crisis. with other organizations like ours across They pre-emptively closed before elected the country to support local businesses. officials asked them to, they even circulatOur five asks were for: ed petitions asking for closures to protect 1. Grants and subsidies to bridge the health and safety of our community. the crisis Now many will be at risk of failing because 2. Low- and no-interest loans of a lack of support from public policy. 3. Federal bailouts should not exacIf you want to join our efforts to superbate market concentration port local businesses, be in touch – email 4. Suspend evictions, foreclosures, info@portlandbuylocal.org or visit www. and utility shut-offs portlandbuylocal.org for more informa5. Support for employees and custion. tomers We pushed Maine’s congressional delegation for those asks, and were glad that grants, subsidies, and no-interest loans were made available or expanded as part of the third coronavirus-related stimulus package.
Mary Alice Scott is Portland Buy Local (PBL) Executive Director. Publisher-Editor Tony Zeli is president of the board of directors and WEN is a PBL media partner.
ASTROLOGY - CONT'D FROM PAGE 13
much as possible. The Sun moves into Taurus on April 19th, then will wait for the Moon to catch up on April 22nd, to form a New Moon in Taurus on April 22nd at 10:26 PM EDT. Taurus is peaceful and solid and secure at its best. And now it can provide some of that again, as we leave behind the Aries push to move forward, to act, to plow new ground, to being true to Self. Taurus not only does not move forward, instead it holds its ground and will not be pushed around or dominated (not for long anyway). Taurus is a fixed earth sign, and that speaks for itself. That also means it holds onto things and people and can claim ownership very easily. And not let go. So, this Taurus New Moon can mean solidifying what has been recently accomplished. Or it means manifestation of an idea or dream. Or it means stubbornly staying wherever it was before and cannot leave the comfort zone. Or it means finding some comfort and peace after recent challenges and battles. On April 25th Pluto goes Retrograde as it is squaring Mercury that day. Our minds and our communications will intensify around this time. Be careful not to burn any bridges. This aspect also promises more ability to think deeper with greater insight.
Do your best not to judge your own or others’ efforts and attitudes now. You can discern what is good or bad for you and perhaps for us, but you do not need to let whatever or whomever have a place in your consciousness. Find a detached observer inside yourself, one that feels and has compassion but does not lose its center or its way. Jupiter conjunct Pluto on 4/4 signifies an important gateway into Higher Self-consciousness, but also potentially for more fear and dread. That is why it is a turning point for our consciousness. Do not let events, no matter what they are, take you off your path. There is a Full Moon in Libra on April 7th and Mars square Uranus on the same day. This represents a time when you can wake up to a new level of awareness, break outside of mental boxes, take the chains off your mind, and find a better balance between being true to yourself or being in relationship. This for some will also be a time of deciding between peace and conflict, between being instinctual or following social standards. From early April to Easter Sunday on April 12th, will be an important time period, so stay as mindful and centered as
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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
11
Addy Smith-Reiman: Complete your City, Design your Neighborhood
Every Month PelotonLabs founder Liz Trice interviews a Peloton member for The West End News. This month Liz caught up with Addy Smith-Reiman, the Executive Director of Portland Society for Architecture.
What does the Portland Society of Architecture do? PSA is a non-profit that encourages innovation and vision in the built environment of Portland through education, advocacy, and engagement with community members, design professionals, and civic leaders. We’ve been around for 14 years, and are a collection of architects, landscape architects, engineers, and civic minded activists. We hold design competitions, create curriculum for high school programs on urban design, host community forums, tour construction sites, and host events to network and celebrate the built environment at different stages.
Inspired by Becky Cooper’s project Mapping Manhattan, where Cooper handed out self-addressed stamped cards that were letter pressed with an outline map of Manhattan and asked people to map their memories, filling it with whatever was meaningful to them. One of our board members, Alyssa Phanitdasack, wanted to do this in Portland … and we thought it was a great idea to engage as many people of all ages and backgrounds first.
on the Bramhall Square Design Competition. Other neighborhoods wanted us to help them think about what they could do in Woodfords Corner. So, we helped Friends of Woodfords Corner do an inventory and design charette.
show the exhibit, and to be in a space with multi-disciplinary movers and shakers. There’s a dynamism of small independent contractors each contributing to a greater wealth of intellectual and networking resources. It’s the perfect marriage of a place to call home and a place to convene, at an intimate scale. Our work with Peloton began with the Bramhall Design Competition and really kicked off PSA’s ongoing desire for design competitions, so we are exceptionally grateful for that.
Now we’re working with Parkside Neighborhood Association to facilitate their neighborhood vision using the Caring Community Grants coming out of Maine Medical Center. PNA’s plan will include an inventory of their assets, building typologies, streetscapes, sidewalks, and parks, asking people of all ages and backgrounds what they like about the neighborhood, what do they want to make sure You can see the submissions for The stays the same, and what do they want to Complete City: Imagined here: change. https://thecompletecity.com/imagIt’s really asking, what is this place, ined/submissions/ and what do we want it to be? It’s a way to engage as many residents as possible Stay tuned for the release of the next in saying what they want their community competition! to be.
Alyssa designed a very simple elegant map in illustrator, we printed 5,000 of them, and distributed them as widely as we could: to the Hope House, the IRIS Network, Opportunity Alliance, Boys and Girls Club, Deering High School, to design I’m a part-time staff, so it’s a hercu- professionals, we even hosted a session at lean task for volunteers and board mem- Novare Res.We collected back about 500, bers to manifest ideas and projects. then we asked ourselves, how can we influence future planning, design and policy What do you mean by “the with these maps? So, we decided to design built environment”? a competition using the maps as the catalyst. Anything around you that has human intervention: sidewalks, architecture, We got 30 proposals based on the parks, streets . . . the rhythm and articula- maps, and we partnered with UNE Art How has Peloton been helpful tions of a constructed world. Gallery to showcase the exhibit from No- to you? vember to January, then moved the exhibIt’s been fabulous. It’s really important What is the Complete City? it to PelotonLabs. We are crafting a next to have a bricks and mortar space to conThe Complete City started out in level competition that will be announced vene, to bring in funders and sponsors, to 2017 as a grassroots mapping project to later this spring.
PelotonLabs is a coworking space in the West End of Portland, Maine with a mission to connect and encourage people to manifest their visions without fear.
collect data about Portland that was acPSA has also been involved in cessible to all. We wanted to ask people who work, play, and live here what they neighborhood design. love, what they want to see stay the same, Yes, we partnered with PelotonLabs what they want to change. and Parkside Neighborhood Association
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THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
CLIMATE JUSTICE
We’re All in This Together
As the climate emergency intensifies, inaction costs us tens of billions of dollars annually. And current emissions are far beyond what the planet can bear to support life. So how do we… •
Move towards 100% clean, renewable energy?
•
Overhaul our transportation system?
•
Eliminate waste and increase energy efficiency?
•
Support food security and community resilience?
BRIGHT IDEA! Learn about the Green New Deal. You’ve heard of it… but do you understand it? It could be our best chance to ameliorate the worst effects of climate change to avoid a deeper crisis. The Green New Deal’s blueprint for cutting carbon emissions guides us into a more harmonious relationship with the natural world.With bold action, 80-85% of our energy could be generated from renewable clean sources by 2030. We could light our homes, strengthen our economy, and deepen our democracy by phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to a new economy. It will take a 10-year national mobilization promoting justice and equality. To tackle the climate crisis at the speed that justice and science demand, a Green New Deal would cut emissions while creating millions of family-sustaining jobs, expanding access to clean air and water, raising wages, and building climate resilience. To counteract inequality, the benefits would go first and foremost to working-class families.
BRIGHT IDEA! Complete the survey to make your priorities known. One Climate Future, the joint Portland/South Portland planning process, has released its third and final questionnaire to help prioritize what will be included in the final plan. Results are expected in early June.
Go to oneclimatefuture.org to complete the 3rd part of the survey. Consider these possibilities… •
Science can help make workable plans towards a lower energy future.
•
Generating three quarters of greenhouse gases, cities must fundamentally change.
•
Buildings can be made carbon neutral through retrofit programs and new planning ordinances.
•
20 million new sustainable jobs are a reasonable expectation.
•
Economists project such a plan would pay for itself in 15 years.
•
Inaction would cost us $34.5 trillion by end of the century.
•
Fossil fuel subsidies could be redirected to green, renewable energies.
•
Capital could come from higher corporate taxes and curtailing corporate power.
•
A new post-growth storyline can be developed.
•
There is already overwhelming public support for the deal.
Going carbon-free cold-turkey sounds extreme but it beats our current trajectory towards a 3-4°C (37-39°F) warming of the planet. Remember, life’s not good on a dead planet! Bright Ideas is brought to you by Portland Climate Action Team which meets the 4th Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. upstairs at the Reiche Community Room on Clark Street. All are welcome. FMI: portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.
WE ARE OPEN
Climate Solutions Beyond Your Backyard By Kristen Caldwell I was part of a delegation lobbying our representatives in Washington, D.C. last November, and the experience was unlike any other. I am grateful for Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) for organizing the event so that so many Maine high schoolers could attend. I had never lobbied before and I gained valuable insight about climate change and life on “The Hill.” It was inspiring being surrounded by so many like-minded and passionate individuals. I loved meeting people from all over the country who feel so strongly about ending global warming. This trip gave me hope about our future. It reminded me that there are many people who are fighting to save our planet. Being on Capitol Hill further affirmed that I want to be working in the nation’s capital for the rest of my life. It truly was a dream to be surrounded by the offices of powerful people who are fighting for our country and against climate change. I am intrigued to learn more about what life is like working for a senator or representative and want to pursue this type of job career in my future.
Kristen Caldwell is a high school student and Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer from Scarborough. Through the lobbying training day, I learned everything about carbon pricing. Before the CCL lobby day, I was unaware of how effective, efficient, and beneficial carbon pricing is. Now I feel empowered and confident to teach others about carbon pricing and to talk to my senators and representatives about the bill. Being a young person in America, I feel that it is my generation’s responsibility to end climate change. In the meetings with staff members, I felt validated as an activist. It was inspiring that the staff members wanted to hear the young voices and that they acknowledged that climate change will detrimentally affect my generation if action is not taken.
THE BROADER PICTURE PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SKY APRIL 2020
TIME TO FIND OUR CORE
By Leo Knighton Tallarico So much has changed since the forecast in March. Of course, you all know I predicted rough times would be triggered with the planetary movements in Winter Eclipse Season 2019/2020, most especially by the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in January. We specifically wrote about the economy and stock market taking a nosedive. Well the Virus came instead of War, but many have stated numerous times that there is a war against the coronavirus and casualties are mounting up like in a war. And true war is not out of the picture yet. Odds are Israel will be in a war before the year is out. Others will be dragged in, too. We are now witnessing the big turning point we have let our readers know was coming. Very difficult dark events signifying the old-world paradigm and its dog eat dog struggle to beat the enemies: ostracize those who are different and take as much money and resources as can be gotten, even toilet paper. During this darkness, so many are instead witnessing and feeling and acting from a place of “we are all in this together.” Also, people are more desperate for the truth. The lights of Love and Truth are awakening in many hearts now. The Age of Aquarius is so needed now in our collective consciousness and in our actions. Truth, Fairness, Equality, Love, and Diversity Within Unity are knocking on the doors of our minds and souls. Important to not let fear and panic take over. They are our only “enemies.” Once they pick up momentum, they can mow down everything in their way down. Going inside and re-ordering our priorities is essential now. Reaching down deep into our minds and soul to find again the values at the core of our country and at the core of our spirituality is essential now. Taking a big step out of ego and into Higher Soul Self is quite needed now. You may need to cut down your time on the Net or TV or texting. Being absorbed in mainstream culture and its fears and hatreds can bring you far down into “glass is half empty” consciousness. And that leads into cynicism, rage, negativity, fear and
panic, and lack of trust and faith. The month starts off with a bang as “god on high” Jupiter makes conjunction with “god of the underworld” Pluto. The last time that happened was in late autumn 2007, considered by most as the beginning of the housing crisis and economic downturn of the economy for 2007-09. The Autumn 2007 Jupiter/Pluto conjunction was in Jupiter’s sign of Sagittarius, so the positive vibes of Jupiter’s “glass as half full” consciousness gave us a collective chance at not letting the darkness take over. This time Jupiter and Pluto conjunct in Capricorn, which is ruled by gravity inducing Saturn. Collective positive energies will be more difficult to integrate, especially so if you hook into the conventional mainstream consciousness. Sheep mentality will not serve us. Feeling fear is not wrong; it is natural. But being drowned in it is self-defeating and not helpful for our collective effort to overcome these threats to our consciousness and lives. You can meditate, be in nature, do things you love, connect with people you love. Tis true we are stuck pretty much in our homes. Yet, this reality is the Universe’s way of bringing us into our inner worlds, our self and its needs and wants, our connecting with our deeper values, finding what sits in our hearts and souls, keeping us away from our compulsions for buying and materialism. We can use this time to do all that inner searching, finding inner peace, letting go of so much anxiety and depression, and getting our lives in order. Yes, deeply connecting with that state of mind and soul may not be easy for many, but it is nevertheless the place inside that will deliver us into the arms of Age of Aquarius consciousness. Jupiter conjunct Pluto on the fifth of April is a marking point on our path to our new world. And even so, it may come with very difficult experiences for our Human Collective.
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How can emotional intelligence help present? What do I actually have the ability to us navigate the turbulence of this situa- control or influence? What is the next action I could take to start moving in a positive direction? tion along with this change? Here are three essential emotional intelligence competencies to help you Positive Outlook stay resilient and make wise choices, plus Positive Outlook is the ability to see “micro-practices” you can use to cultivate the best in people, situations, and events. It these abilities in yourself. allows you to stay focused and persistent despite the challenges that inevitably acEmotional Balance company growth and change. You see opEmotional Balance is the ability to portunity in situations where others see keep disruptive emotions and impulses in a setback. It’s a tendency toward an opcheck, recover quickly from setbacks, and timistic outlook that leads you to believe maintain your effectiveness under stressful that changes will lead us to a better future. or even hostile conditions. Self-regulating Micro-practice: Each day for at least one in this way does not mean being devoid week, write down three things that went well of feeling or repressing emotions. On the for you today.The items can be relatively small contrary, it means recognizing your emoin importance (e.g., “my coworker acknowltions and being able to modulate them edged my effort”) or relatively large (e.g., “I depending upon the situation, even when finished writing my first novel”). Write down emotions are intense. exactly what happened in as much detail as Micro-practice: Close your eyes if you possible. Include how this event made you wish. Take a moment to become aware of feel at the time and how this event made you your current experience - sensations, emo- feel later (including now, as you remember it). tions, thoughts, etc. Place one hand on your Explain what you think caused this event. To heart, the other hand on your belly. Notice make this exercise part of your daily routine, the sensations of movement of your breath as some find that writing before bed is helpful. you inhale, then as you exhale. Use intention Although we face massive challenges, to gradually breathe more deeply. Notice the pauses between inhaling and exhaling. Con- there is an equally significant opportunity tinue like this for a few minutes, then allow to come together and support each other your breath to return to normal and take note to make the best of a scary situation. of what has changed.
Practicing the positive habits of mind above helps us develop mindfulness and Adaptability compassion and enables us to connect Adaptability entails having the flexibil- meaningfully with others and respond efity to respond effectively to change and fectively to the challenges at hand. balance multiple demands. You can adapt We are in uncharted territory, and to new situations with fresh ideas, meet it’s okay to feel afraid or overwhelmed. challenges as they arise, and adjust strateWe can choose to be compassionate with gy or style based on what is needed most. ourselves and each other and call on our In a time of increasing complexity and uncuriosity, courage, and creativity. certainty, this is truly a key competency. Micro-practice: Ask yourself a series of self-reflection questions to help find a positive perspective on the massive change that is occurring: What opportunities does this change
Note: Definitions of emotional intelligence competencies are adapted from the Building Blocks of Emotional Intelligence: 12 Leadership Competency Primers series, © 2017 by More Than Sound, LLC
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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
THE WEST END NEWS | APRIL 2020
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Worldly Biological Phenomenon… By Nancy Dorrans I learned so much recently, listening to Court Whelan, Ph.D., Natural Habitat’s Director of Sustainability and Conservation Travel. Dr. Whelan reported on “the most miraculous and mysterious phenomena in nature.” Dr. Whelan began by saying that every answer draws at least two more questions… How do they find their way, four generations apart, migrating three thousand miles one way? Why do they go where they go? What is it about that area of the world that draws them from the many corners of the United States and Canada? And, how do they arrive no worse for wear?
MIGRATION OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY These small orange and black migrants have fascinated humans for thousands of years and Dr. Whelan has dedicated his career to studying them. I was entranced during his online presentation “Understanding the Amazing Monarch Butterfly Migration.” I didn’t know there was so much to it and continued to dig. I have since fluttered down an internet rabbit hole. Here’s a report on what I’ve learned so far…
the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) also occurs when the monarchs appear. According to traditional belief, the monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are reThey also rely on chemical cues; each turning to Earth for their annual wing has thousands of small scales that visit.” (https://journeynorth.org) pick up these cues. “Monarch Butterflies Why Mexico and what do they cue on ultraviolet rays that are invisible do there? to humans. These rays cut through even The monarchs congregate and hiberheavy clouds,” according to the NPR story, “Study Sheds Light on Butterfly Migra- nate in the Michoacán Mountains in central Mexico where the climate is perfect tion.” for them and the forest canopy protects Do all monarchs migrate? them. They are on a butterfly vacation of No. From spring to late summer, mon- sorts, escaping the cold winters like many archs go through a number of generations. other animals and tourists do. The first several generations’ lifespans What about recent reports of are only a few weeks long. The migrating generation lives four times as long as the dwindling numbers? prior generations. There are some threats such as illegal How does the migratory genera- logging, pesticides, and GMOs, but there tion live four times longer? is reason for optimism. Their numbers are Dr. Court explained that the migrat- on the rise. Eco-tourism in the Michoing generation has an internal switch.They acán Mountains provides jobs and locals turn off their reproduction energy and now see the financial incentive. They are redirect this energy to repair and regen- planting trees to replace holes in the canerate cells. It is like a butterfly fountain of opy. There is a worldwide rise in understanding the added value in protecting the youth! monarchs. WHAT? Can we do that? Like he said, every answer begs two more questions. During the question and answer period, a 6th grader asked, “Do How long does their migration monarchs migrate at night?” take? They also have a magnetic sense, a compass in their wings. Where does this magnetic sense come from? They ingest a metal from their superfood milkweed that helps build the magnet.
The monarch butterfly navigation skills are impressive. They have several ways to find their way. First is a time compensated sun compass in which they use Depending on where they are leaving their eyes and antennae to navigate based from, the butterflies begin their journey on their relative position to the sun. to Mexico in late August or September But what happens when it is and then arrive together around the end of October. “The Mexican holiday Day of cloudy?
KEEP CALM AND
LET YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR HANDLE IT
Nancy Dorrans Travel Group Expert
The most poetic answer to his question was written in 1911 by Jennie Brooks. She stayed up all night watching clusters of monarchs during their fall migration through Lawrence, Kansas:
-WEN file photo
“T
he night was cloudless and absolutely without wind ... the butterflies slept on, and on, and on, with wings tightly folded together” until the rays of the sun fell upon them the following morning, and then ... “as if touched with a magic wand, the mighty colony ... wafted into the air.” (Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society)
What can you do to help the monarchs? Share what you learn. Plant local milkweed! Minimize insecticides. Did you know you can tag and track monarchs? Peer down a rabbit hole to learn more. These organizations: Monarch Watch, the Southwest Monarch Study, and Monarch Alert all have monarch tagging programs and are always looking for more citizen scientists. Find the program that’s best for you and get involved! Follow the migration monarchwatch.org.
at
www.
Nancy Dorrans is an independent travel advisor based in the West End. She is currently hibernating in East Tennessee with her father, sister, and family, their beehives, two dogs, and twenty-three chickens.
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THE WEST END NEWS
APRIL EDITION 2020
THE DUMPSTER
WHERE WE THROW ALL THE STUFF WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH… Before the emergency declarations Governor Mills taps Blaine House maple tree to celebrate our $48.7 million maple syrup industry… Jenny Anastasoff celebrates the 11th anniversary of her first time in The Dumpster… A&C Grocery opens West End location… Bob’s Clam Hut shutters East End restaurant to focus on original Kittery location… Upstate New York’s Donuts Delite sells donuts bearing the likeness of Dr.Anthony Fauci and claims they are selling ‘like crazy’… Family Guy’s Meg Griffin is accepted to Bowdoin College… Maine’s craft brewers celebrate the 1-year anniversary of their clean water coalition the Maine Brewshed Alliance… Friends of Casco Bay reminds us that flushable wipes are actually NOT flushable… Ecomaine says it’s the first in nation to use all-electric waste trucks powered by their own waste-to-energy operations… WalletHub ranks Maine the 8th Most Aggressive State vs Coronavirus… Portland ditches 5-cent plastic bag fee for the month of April… Creative Portland cancels First Friday Art Walk until further notice… Portland Press Herald offers free daily coverage of the coronavirus… And The West End News continues to be always free…...................................
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