FEBRUARY 2021.VOL. 21, NO. 02. PORTLAND, MAINE.
HEALTH BRIEF
Covid-19 Vaccination Hotline Opens for Age 70+
Goodbye, Norway Maples City removes invasive trees on the Western Prom and will return with native trees and shrubs in the spring By Tony Zeli The removal of an invasive species of tree on the Western Prom caused concern among West End residents who worried that Portland crews were clear cutting the promenade. But the clearing of dozens of Norway Maples was all part of the city’s master plan for the Western Prom.
Northern Light Health launched a live phone Covid-19 vaccination hotline for community members 70 and over. When the phone line opened on Monday, January 25th, at 9 a.m. it became overwhelmed with high call volume and new appointment scheduling was immediately delayed “Many of the Norway Maples had deuntil later in the day. The new vaccination fects common with the species, prone to phone number is (207) 204-8551. storm damage, trunk cracks, and we did Northern Light Health encourages have a few trees fail recently,” said Jeff Tarpatients with internet access to visit their ling, the city’s arborist. website for vaccine information and to The removal of Norway Maples along schedule their vaccination. They anticipate that call volume will remain high. The the Western Promenade occurred in late vaccination information website is: covid. December. Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, forestry crews northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine. removed Norway Maple trees from two Early in the vaccination process, areas, the southern viewshed across from health care officials realized that patients the Western Cemetery and the Valley without internet access needed a phone- Street playground, community garden, and based solution. They developed the ho- dog park edges, technically part of the tline, which is not a permanent call center Western Promenade. but now all community members have “The grove of invasive trees is an access to vaccination scheduling. Patients indication that the area was once open,” without internet access should call (207) said Tarling. The clearing on the southern 204-8551 for scheduling and information. view area revealed historic views of the Northern Light urges patients to call this Fore River. The invasive Norway Maples number rather than their local hospital had obscured these public views for deor healthcare provider’s office to free up cades. “Nearby, established Red Oak, Black those phone lines for continued patient Cherry, Pine, and Birch groves represent care. the native trees that would be found in Northern Light Health is an integrat- Maine.” ed health delivery system serving Maine, Tarling is generating a plan for rewith hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, planting in the spring. It starts with a list of and ground and air medical transport and native trees and shrubs to buffer nearby emergency care across the state, including residential properties and screen some of Mercy Hospital in the West End. Northern the commercial views below. But the new Light Health works with the Maine State landscape will preserve view corridors to the Fore River and the west.Trail improveC.D.C. to vaccinate the community.
Page 5
Grassroots fight in South Portland to monitor emissions
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Page 7
Covid-19 vaccination update from Northern Light Health
Above: Portland crews removed dozens of Norway Maples clearing views that had been obscured for decades. Below: Pitch Pine at Western Cemetery across from the Prom where new plantings in the spring will compliment the pine grove. -Photos by Tony Zeli ments are also planned, and storm water runoff improvements are to include rain gardens. The big picture theme according to Tarling is to complement the nearby Western Cemetery Pitch Pine environment. Pitch Pine is found in and around the cemetery that is across from the Western Prom, but nowhere else in Portland do we find a groove like we have in the West End. A few can be found in the Evergreen Cemetery woods and a few here and there, but the Pitch Pine of the Western Cemetery and Prom is to be treasured. More plans for the spring improvements will be available in March. Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Reach him at thewestendnews@ gmail.com.
Page 13
Community comes together during a pandemic
Page 16-17
Wine selections for your next New Farm to Table experience
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
THEWESTENDNEWS.COM FROM THE EDITOR
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Local News Never Quits
Best Worst Trivia.........................................15 Broader Picture.....................................12-14 Climate Justice............................................4-5 Crossword....................................................15 Dumpster, The.............................................19 Emotional Intelligence................................14 Events...............................................................6 Food & Drink.........................................16-17 Health & Wellness.........................................7 La Vida Local.................................................13 Layne's Wine Gig...................................16-17 Map Page.................................................10-11 Neighborhood News...................................3 PelotonPosts...................................................8 Poetry............................................................19 Police Beat......................................................3 Portland Buy Local........................................9 Sudoku...........................................................15 Travel..............................................................18
Much has happened since the publication of our last edition: the Capitol Insurrection, the presidential inauguration, rising death tolls, and new virus variants. Do I need to list more? I swear it has only been a month. While you won’t read much about the national headlines in these pages, know that that it drives our passion to provide truthful, useful, and positive community news. National headlines might get you down, but you can count on WEN to lighten your heart with good news from the neighborhood. In our pages this month check out Rosanne Graef’s latest “La Vida Local” on Page 13. She highlights some simple acts of local solidarity and connection during the pandemic. Northern Light Mercy has an important public service announcement about vaccinations on Page 7. Also, find a follow up to our Climate Justice series on toxic fumes from South Portland tank farms and the grassroots effort to monitor emissions on Page 5.
THE WEST END NEWS
And something to look forward to… Our 20th Anniversary Edition is arriving next month. Look for it on First Friday, March 5th. As always, thank you for reading and advertising!
Nancy Dorrans, Travel & Adventure Dr. Oren Gersten, Healthy Living Rosanne Graef, La Vida Local Michael Stern, Emotional Intelligence Layne Witherell, Layne's Wine Gig
Sincerely, Tony Zeli Publisher & Editor thewestendnews@gmail.com
20th Anniversary
Published by Zeli Enterprises, LLC 795 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102 www.thewestendnews.com thewestendnews@gmail.com Tony Zeli, Publisher & Editor Rick Ness, Sales
VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS
Thank you for contributions from Mary Alice Scott, Portland Buy Local Ben Taylor, Best Worst Trivia Liz Trice, PelotonLabs Northern Light Mercy Hospital Portland Citizens' Climate Lobby & Portland Climate Action Team Printed in Maine by Lincoln County Publishing Co.
ALL SALES INQUIRIES Contact Rick Ness 207-577-7025 rickthewestendnews@gmail.com
SUBMISSIONS WEN is a community newspaper and we need your voice! Share your submissions with thewestendnews@gmail.com or send to: The 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 and town or neighborhood. • Op-eds should be no more than 750 words and include a brief biography of 1-2 sentences. • WEN also accepts poetry, cartoons, 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. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in our pages belong solely to the authors and not necessarily to the publication. Thank you for reading!
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Reiche School Goes Remote after Positive Covid-19 Case
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
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Living a vibrant life with memory impairment and good taste prevails on Valentine’s Day and beyond. In celebrating our residents and staff, we say Whoopie to all!
By Tony Zeli
The most appropriate closure will be deOne positive case at Reiche Com- termined through evaluation of where the munity School resulted in the 15 close cases are in a building, the timeline of cascontacts that are required to quarantine. es, and other relevant factors, such as: Due to the number of quarantined staff • Staffing- A school may need to close and the need to clean the building, Refor a period of time if there is not iche was closed for in-person learning on enough staff to safely hold school. Friday, January 15th, as staff and students transitioned to full remote instruction for • Number of close contacts- The the day. The building reopened on the folnumber of school close contacts for lowing Tuesday, January 19th, the day after a positive case will be considered. the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Depending on the overall number of positive cases in a school, cases that The CDC evaluates a school for an do not have school close contacts outbreak when there are three or more may not be considered as a reason positive cases from different households for school closure. that meet CDC criteria for investigation. • Links in cases- If there are links that CDC criteria for investigation include suggest transmission of the virus in the type of Covid test (such as antigen school, a school, cohort, pod, or grade or PCR), the number of days since the level may be closed until the end of individual was present in school, and any the quarantine period for the most known positive contacts in or out of recent case with school exposure. school. The CDC reviews potential outbreaks and each case is evaluated on an An outbreak is considered “open” individual basis. Only the CDC can classify until 14 days have passed since the last a facility as an outbreak. positive case within school close contacts. If the CDC determines there is an This means any new case within those 14 outbreak, they work with school staff, in- days may restart the timeline and could cluding the school physician, school nurse, lead to a school being identified in outand central administration, to review sit- break status for a prolonged period. The uations and to determine the risk of in- CDC continues close monitoring of a school transmission. An outbreak does school throughout an outbreak and will not necessarily warrant a school closure, continue to make recommendations as and the CDC may recommend other needed. measures, such as cleaning or quarantining Portland schools follows the CDC of close contacts, to mitigate any ongoing cleaning guidelines when positive cases risk. are identified in school. If needed, PPS At any time, Portland Public Schools will work with community partners in the (PPS) may decide to close a school, grade event large scale testing is recommended level, cohort, or pod for a period of time. for students and staff.
PORTLAND POLICE BRIEFS
Suspicious Package Closes Roads Police Investigate Hate Mailings Near Art Museum On January 5th, 2021, Portland PoA suspicious package made up of feathers surrounding a box along with a spray-painted message was found by employees of the Portland Museum of Art at 7 Congress Square Plaza at 3:00 p.m. on January 23rd. Police closed roads around Congress Square Plaza to vehicle and foot traffic and evacuated an unconfirmed number of businesses. The Portland Police Hazardous Device Team examined the package and determined that it was not an explosive device. The word “BALM” was spray painted on the sidewalk.
lice received reports from three residents that they received threatening letters in their mail. Within a week, police received six more complaints with two of the reports occurring in late October with a different type of mailing.
The mailings received in October contained an invitation to an address on Capisic Street to discuss current political issues. The mailings were similarly addressed as the more recent mailings: to “Residents” with the correct address and no return address. The October mailings were sent to homes on Pinecrest Road A criminal investigation has been and Brentwood Street. opened to determine who placed the There were no threatening messages package and their motivation for this act. contained within the October mailings, Out of State Motorist Attacked by but the topics to be discussed targeted multiple groups. The letter named the Pedestrians family that lived at the Capisic Street adOn January 22nd, at 12:22 p.m., a man dress but police do not believe they were driving a car with a Vermont license plate involved in the mailings. had stopped in the area of 656 Congress The mailings first reported on JanuStreet when he was attacked by a man and ary 5th were sent to homes on Whitney a woman after they yelled at him that he Avenue, Fessenden, Dartmouth, Dorothy, shouldn’t be in the State. and Capisic Streets, and two homes on Two homeless residents allegedly atBrighton Avenue. Each of these homes had tacked the out of state driver and damdisplayed either flags or signs supporting aged his car. The man was not seriously LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, or a hurt during the attack. Witnesses called political candidate. the police as the man retreated to his car. If you receive a letter matching this The suspects tried to pull him out of the car and fled before officers arrived. Both description do not open it, limit handling suspects were arrested within a short time of the letter, and contact police. If anyone and charged with criminal mischief, assault, has any information that could help solve this crime, call (207) 874-8575. and various drug and related charges.
Chef Pat’s homemade Whoopie Pies!
An Innovative and Compassionate Assisted Living ~ Memory Care Community For an informative dialogue, call (207) 878-0788 Fallbrook Woods, 60 Merrymeeting Drive, Portland. www.FallbrookWoods.com
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
CLIMATE JUSTICE
We’re All in This Together Climate Solutions Beyond Your Backyard
PlantingTrees & Carbon Fees By Erica Bartlett
million, and the money goes to landowners and farmers who commit to using their property for restoration or protection of the rainforest. Thanks to those efforts, forest These efforts help, but taken on their coverage has own, they don’t do enough. As much as increased from trees do to store carbon, without also one-quarter to one-half of the land. reducing carbon emissions, we won’t be able to keep up with the increased levels If more countries, including the Unitof CO2 in the atmosphere. ed States, followed Costa Rica’s approach, the results would be much more impactful We can demonstrate this in the Enthan addressing deforestation alone. The ROADS Climate Change Solutions EmEn-ROADS simulator shows that pairing a ulator, developed by MIT. The simulator carbon tax with the efforts to save forests shows that by 2100, efforts to plant trees would cut emissions by more than half and reduce deforestation would have a and keep the temperature rise to 4.3º F small impact on emissions and would only (2.4º C). reduce rising temperatures by 0.3º F, from 6.5º F to 6.2º F. Over one hundred countries use or are considering a carbon fee. The United What makes these efforts more efStates is not currently one of them, but fective is pairing them with a carbon fee, following this approach, combined with which is the most equitable and effective other efforts such as forest protection, way of reducing emissions. A good examwould go a long way toward addressing ple of a country using this approach is the problems of climate change. Costa Rica. Here in Maine, it’s easy to take trees for granted and forget how much they help us. In addition to providing shade, habitat for many animals, and beauty, trees are very efficient at storing carbon. That’s why some people focus on trees as a means of reducing carbon in the atmosphere, through a combination of planting and addressing problems of deforestation.
Beneficial Electrification Coming to Portland With One Climate Future, Portland and South Portland have a plan to address climate change. The plan calls for clean renewable electricity to power everything – cars, buses, ferries, building heating systems, and more. Rebates, tax incentives, and federal funding are to make this possible. And all residents will be engaged in actions to mitigate climate change while adapting to its unavoidable impacts. An idea that comes up frequently in the plan is “beneficial electrification,” which means reducing greenhouse gases by doing things electrically that we presently do by burning fossil fuels and then producing the needed electricity renewably. A 2020 GridSolar study found that Portland and South Portland have the collective capacity to meet 29% of all electricity needs with rooftop solar.
tions for installing solar on rooftops and/ or joining community solar farms. Anyone, even without access to a suitable roof or cash to invest, can save money by availing themselves of energy from community solar farms, which are now being built on a much larger, more economical, design. Participates may purchase a share or simply reduce their electric bills with no longterm commitment.
According to solar pioneer Jeremy Leggett, “We are squarely in the middle of Since 1997, Costa Rica has used a carbon tax to focus on reforestation. The Erica Bartlett is a life-long environ- the greatest energy transition in history. tax raises an annual revenue of $26.5 mentalist who lives in Portland, Maine. The era of fossil fuels is over, and the only question now is when the new era will be fully upon us… Clean energy is less expensive.” (“Drawdown” by Paul Hawken) Due to advances in photovoltaics, solar energy will soon be the most cost-effective energy in the world. And a new One Climate Future promotional campaign will clearly spell-out the benefits and incentives offered for solar hook-ups. Over 70% of emission reductions in our two cities will come from changing the way we heat our buildings and produce the needed electricity. All buildings currently heated by oil or natural gas can be efficiently heated with cold-climate heat pumps. These devices work like refrigerators-in-reverse, moving heat from the cold outside air to the warm air inside, using electricity much more efficiently than radiant heaters of the past. Large commercial and industrial buildings may opt for ground-source heat pumps, sometimes called geothermal units, which pull heat from the warmer underground environment through a bored well.
Solar panels installed at the Blaine House in 2019 by Gov. Mills. -Courtesy of Governor's Office
BRIGHT IDEA: Install a heat pump and a rooftop array or join a community solar farm. Portland and South Portland plan to meet all municipal demand with renewable energy by 2032. Access the full draft of One Climate Future plan www.oneclimatefutuire.org under “Reports" menu.
the at the
Bright Ideas is brought to you by Portland Climate Action Team which, during the In the future, we’ll see a lot more of pandemic, meets online the 4th Thursday of our energy coming from solar and wind. the month, 6-7:30 PM. All are welcome to join New laws passed in 2019 increase the op- in. FMI: portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
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CLIMATE JUSTICE FEATURE
Toxic Fumes: Living in a Sacrifice Zone South Portland residents organize to monitor emissions from tank farms By Espahbad Dodd
Espahbad Dodd lives on State Street in the West End. South Portland’s petroleum tank He is a member of the Portland Climate Action Team and the farms are in the midst of peaceful residen- primary editor of that team’s monthly Bright Ideas column tial neighborhoods just across the Fore (see Pg. 4). Readers may reach him at espahbad@gmail.com. River from Portland. Could South Port- He welcomes feedback. land be considered a “sacrifice zone?” In This is Espahbad's second installment on the toxic fumes such places, the health of local residents appears to be of little concern to those from South Portland tank farms. Read Part I: Toxic Fumes in in charge of industry. Frequently referred the West End online at thewestendnews.com/toxic-stenchto as “fence line communities,” these sac- in-the-west-end. rifice zones are scattered throughout the country and follow similar patterns of de- play outdoors? Do I need to keep the win- actions by industry or government, the velopment. dows closed when I smell burning oil or “precautionary principle” takes precetar? Should we eat the vegetables grown dence over scientific uncertainty in favor IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM in our garden? Clear answers were not of prevention. In the early 1940s, South Portland forthcoming, and the DEP alleged they Cancer and effects on the nervous was a booming industrial center and a had neither the personnel nor financial system are major concerns according to working-class community with a desir- ability to conduct a proper health study. In David O. Carpenter, M.D., Director, Instiable deep-water port. It was an ideal site essence, oil tank companies were left to tute for Health and the Environment, Unifor the fossil fuel industry to set up shop. monitor their own emissions via a matheversity at Albany. Evidence from grab samThey were not subjected to heavy regu- matical formulation created by the Ameripling (in South Portland) clearly show that lation and were free to pretty much do can Petroleum Institute. levels of both benzene and naphthalene as they pleased. Over the years, however, that changed as environmental awareness and health concerns grew. Toxic chemical smells, previously seen primarily as a nuisance, became a more serious health concern. Community leaders sought out scientifically reliable data to back their concerns and, despite resource limitations and the lack of political clout, they recognized the need to fight back. They were keenly aware of the monumental power imbalance between industries that emit pollutants and the residents who breathe them. South Portland citizens are currently challenged by hazardous air pollution; ground and water contamination; schools, daycare, and senior housing far too close to oil tanks; and health concerns from a constant stream of petroleum tank trucks rolling in and out. The toxic airborne oil stench emitted includes: Benzene, Ethylbenzene, Toluene and Xylene, all of which irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and skin to varying degrees. Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting are possible reactions.With certain wind conditions, the stench is carried over the Fore River into Portland’s West End. Those living in fence line communities, eventually reach a push-back point. Tired of enduring disproportionate health sacrifices, they say, “Enough is enough. The problems must be addressed.”
ASK QUESTIONS In March of 2016, South Portland residents had a rude awakening when the federal Environmental Protection Agency reported that some tanks operated by Global Partners may be emitting as much as twice the amount of dangerous emissions for which they were licensed – going back as far as 2012. Residents’ inquiries didn’t go anywhere. They frequently heard, “It will take time to gather the information,” from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Straight answers were seldom given. Is it safe for our children to
EDUCATE & ORGANIZE Thrown back on their own resources, grassroots leaders from Protect South Portland moved to organize and better educate themselves about emissions. To do so required them to learn “to talk in parts per million and parts per billion.” They’d faced big challenges before; as when, with the city, they successfully opposed the reversal of the Portland to Montreal Pipeline in 2013. Their current concerns, however, required them to be knowledgeable not only about the negative health risks but also about public speaking, attracting media coverage, and giving concise interviews with memorable content. If state officials and corporate officers were to take appropriate action, the pressure of public attention needed to be focused on the problem. Time, persistent effort, and courage were required. Organizers sought the help of outside experts. They needed to translate complex reports about chemical releases and exposure rates into lay terms. The City Council, its Clean Air Advisory Committee, and others wanted to reassure citizens that, going forward, they had safe, clean air to breathe. They knew that long-term exposure to toxins could have a negative impact on the heart, circulatory system, and liver. What is an acceptable amount of risk? Is risking the health and development of children breathing in toxic emissions worth it? When there are threats of serious damage from harmful
A tanker near Bug Light in South Portland.
A playground in the shadow of a tank farm. Maine DEP monitoring stations have recorded elevated levels of hazardous air pollutants in South Portland. -Photos by Espahbad Dodd.
Technology that is capable of radically reducing tank emissions already exists. There can be little justification for not taking immediate action to install Vapor Recovery Units as required by other states (such as Massachusetts). Oil companies would, of course, have to foot the bill for the necessary equipment as a cost of doing business in Maine. Environmental engineer, David Falatko, who lives near the tanks and has studied and reported on different aspects of the issue says, “These facilities are close enough together as to be considered contiguous… and their combined discharge would constitute a ‘major’ source. They should be regulated as such and required to control their emissions. Instead, the DEP has granted several of them ‘synthetic minor’ source status exempting them from ‘major’ source requirements.”
CALL TO ACTION
Grassroots community leaders have assumed the mantle of environmental justice and health equity to pit themselves, once again, against the oil industry in a struggle that’s not a sprint but more like a marathon. Protect South Portland currently seeks to broaden its outreach and impact by forming a coalition with other environmental groups. And a bill currently MONITOR & INFORM going before the State Legislature could, finally, bring the power and resources of People living nearest to the tanks the State’s Department of Environmental need to know the extent to which their Protection to bear on the problem. health is being compromised by these toxic fumes. Emission monitoring is vitally Former Portland City Councilor and important. State Representative Jon Hinck is blunt, “The SoPo tanks pose two problems. Air Responding to citizen pressure, the emissions and related health impacts can Maine DEP finally set up five ambient and should be fixed now. But we also want monitoring stations. The siting of these to end our dependence on fossil fuels. We locations was not to determine the imcan start by ending all subsidies and planpact of tank farm emissions but to look at ning for removal of the tanks.” air pollution across the city. Nonetheless, these stations showed elevated levels of We want to know that Portland and naphthalene and benzene both of which South Portland air is safe to breathe. As are considered hazardous air pollutants Naturopathic Doctor Priscilla Skerry said, by the EPA. Benzene is a known carcin- “Preventing the escape of harmful petroogen for which some experts say there leum vapors into the air we all breathe will should be zero tolerance standard. go a long way toward protecting people, our environment, and future generations.” The Clean Air Advisory Committee is recommending fence line monitoring such Disclosure: Publisher-Editor Tony Zeli as that proposed by EPA Region 1 scien- is a board member of Green Initiatives tist Patrick Byrd in 2016 which was never Education Fund, an organization that funded. There is a low-cost method that that has advocated against the revercould easily be implemented by citizen sci- sal of the Portland to Montreal Pipeentists to monitor some emissions for as line to carry tars sands through South little as $1500 a month. Portland. are often above the Ambient Air Guideline near tank farms and, in Carpenter’s opinion, “should not be tolerated, as they pose a direct threat to the health of those living nearby. The city and state should require that the industry never exceed these guidelines.”
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
WHAT'S GOING ON
COMMUNITY EVENTS Classical Uprising: Amazing Grace Anti-racism Program Sat., Feb. 6, 7pm, Online
from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Previously, the gatherings were held in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
In a moment when arts organizations across the globe are struggling, Emily Isaacson, 2018 Maine Artist of the Year, is using the pandemic to rethink live performance, classical music, and community arts. The result is Classical Uprising. Over the next five months, Classical Uprising brings four programs into the community and into our homes to create connection, cultivate hope, and inspire.
The prayer services are organized by the Azande Congregation of Maine, which formed to help members of the Greater Portland’s Sudanese community engage with their Catholic faith. Masks and social distancing are required, hand sanitizer will be available throughout the church, and the bathrooms will be available for use. For more information, contact the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes at (207) The first program, Amazing Grace, 773-7746. premieres on February 6th at 7 p.m. and WMPG Blunt Youth Radio is then available for free streaming with Climate Stories Workshop companion webpage connecting to an- Mon., Feb. 1st, 6-week after-school program, ti-racism resources and Maine-based ad- via Zoom vocacy organizations. Amazing Grace uses WMPG’s Blunt Youth Radio program music to explore Black history in America is launching a free, 6-week program to through the present day. Featuring intertrain high-school aged youth to use the national music sensation Reginald Mobley tools of audio storytelling and journaland GRAMMY-nominated singer-composism. The focus is on the issues of climate er Jonathan Woody, the program facilitates and the environment. Participants will dialogue around difficult conversations leave the program with a finished audio and asks how we can drive purposeful change through art. A collaboration with piece that will air on WMPG and be part the Sanford Performing Arts Center and of the station’s youth podcast. The entire the Handel and Haydn Society. For other 6-weeks will be delivered live via Zoom. programing details, including the return of Participants will learn to conduct inthe Portland Bach Experience, please visit terviews, record audio remotely, and edit https://www.classicaluprising.org. together their thoughts into finished audio segments. Listen to a wide range of Azande Prayer Services audio samples and talk about what makes Move to St. Peter Church a compelling and effective story around Sundays, 3pm, St. Peter Church, Portland climate. Learn to create a story that reAzande prayer services are now be- inforces hope and offers a call to action ing held at St. Peter Church, located on to work and unite for a better future. FMI: 72 Federal Street in Portland, on Sundays youthprograms@wmpg.org.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
COVID-19 Vaccination Update What You Need to Know
Northern Light Health, with direction of the Maine State CDC, has expanded COVID-19 vaccination offerings to community members age 70 and over. At this time, vaccine supply is very limited and you must have an appointment to get vaccinated.
If you are 70 or over, make an appointment for your vaccine at covid.northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine or by calling 207.204.8551 All Northern Light Health locations offering the vaccine in Maine are listed on this site. New appointments are added every week on Monday at 2pm, as soon as we confirm the number of vaccine doses we have. Operations are subject to change. For ongoing information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please call our recorded vaccination information line at 207.275.2200 or check our website at northernlighthealth.org/COVID
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to get our communities vaccinated.
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
Emma Holder: Creating connection through fitness & community Every month PelotonLabs founder Liz Trice interviews a community member for The West End News. This month Liz caught up with Emma Holder: fitness teacher, massage therapist, community activist, and Parkside Neighborhood Association President. You do a lot of things! Is there some connection between fitness and your community activism? Yes, I’m on four boards right now! Parkside Neighborhood Association, Maine Medical Center Neighborhood Advisory Committee, I’m president of my Condo association board, and I’m on P.A.N. which is the Portland Association of Neighborhoods. Wellness and activism are connected. I have a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology and became a fitness instructor in 1996 when I was 26; I had received a cancer diagnosis and was looking for a way to deal with stress and chose fitness. I went from group fitness to personal training, then specialized in working with older people, then all people, then started thinking about the larger community. Fitness of a body is similar to fitness of a community or city-- I just watched “Osmosis Joe” again. I love that movie. You go into the “city” of the character of “Frank” and there’s an animated story of how body systems work.
I have a committed group coming to my classes, and always welcome new people. I’ve had some people coming to my classes for almost 20 years. My classes are educational, encourage people to listen to their bodies, and are enjoyable! I’ve created recorded material, which I had never done before. I’m teaching online food fermentation classes. I work really hard the first six weeks of the year to create a space that people really enjoy to help people stick to their habits. Participants keep coming back because they meet other wonderful people, sweat together, and have a good time. It’s helpful to have buddies when you’re trying a new thing. With all my classes, I’ve learned that you’ve got to create a connection... the magic is in the community, in the connection, in the shared experience we’re going through. We’re all trying to stay healthy, be optimistic, get through this alive so we can get back to seeing our friends.
What community activism projects are you most excited about right now?
neighborhood so they can propose something that will be an asset to the neighborhood. When Todd Anderson came to PNA to talk about building the Goodwin, we were able to tell them how important porches are in our neighborhood, so the new building will have porches. Why not always get the neighborhood involved in the beginning? Todd Anderson came to us 4 or 5 times and it’s been so well communicated and intelligent! Parkside has triple deckers, balconies, flat roofs... we would love everything to be solar or green roof ready. Our plan will also be able to help the city make decisions about bike lanes, parks, speedbumps, community gardens, sober houses, improve lighting.
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There are definitely uses for cars, but I don’t think everyone needs one. Getting towed, snowbans... I did the math and realized I save about $4,000 per year by getting rid of mine. I’d rather not have a car and have the $4,000 per year... that’s two months of vacation for me. If many people realize they can live without cars, the neighborhood gets better for everyone.
FMI https://www.emmaholder.com https://www.parksideneighborhood.org
A few years ago, another board member documented which houses didn’t have porch lights. We advocated for porch lights to be present and illuminated. We told CMP which streetlights had broken bulbs. We have recently been invited to help make decisions about the castle in Deering Oaks. Parkside is a gritty little neighborhood with a lot to offer, and we want to make sure that we’re creating a place that’s safe and welcoming for everyone.
The Parkside Neighborhood Association just got a grant to work on the You’re a year-round cyclist, no Parkside Neighborhood Vision, which is car, right? being paid for by a grant from Maine MedI got rid of my car more than 10 years ical Center through the Neighborhood ago, and it’s the best decision I ever made... Advisory Committee. A board member is It’s given me so much freedom. I think leading the effort for neighbors, developpeople equate their car with freedom: “I ers, and city staff to chronicle what works, How has the pandemic affect- what doesn’t work, how we’d like to see things in 5, 10, 15 years. It includes thinking ed your work? about what works in Parkside: the park, I’m doing all my fitness classes on streets, buildings, families, diversity, and Zoom now; I’m finding new ways to cre- how to communicate across languages. ate welcoming classes that will challenge We want to be able to give developers and engage all levels and keep everyone a guide that shows what we like about our safe. I’ve had to change how I teach, but
Responsibility to health starts with your body, but also the community around you. If you feel safe to walk or bike to work, that translates into not only your health but the health of everyone around you: clean air, safe walking, social connection, and not having heart attacks.
can go wherever I want.” Sure, after you dig it out of a snowbank!
PelotonLabs is a coworking space in the West End of Portland, Maine with a mission to connect and encourage people working on their own to manifest their visions without fear.
BUY LOCAL
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
Love Notes
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By Mary Alice Scott The month of February typically brings one of Portland’s most beloved holiday traditions: The Valentine’s Day Bandit. The hundreds of paper hearts displayed throughout the city are a beautifully simple way of bringing a smile to the faces of strangers and fostering a sense of community.
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The event is also a celebration of Portland’s unique character. On Valentine’s Day each year, my social media feed is filled with posts from individuals and local businesses who are charmed to find the paper hearts adorning their doors. With our friends at Portland Downtown, we are hoping to channel that feeling into a project called Love Notes. We’re asking the community to write love notes to our fair city. Which local businesses make you swoon – and why? What do you think is Portland’s best kept secret? Express your love for Portland with a haiku!
Each year the Valentine’s Day Bandit charms residents with paper hearts displayed throughout the city – above in an empty shop door and below at Northern Light Mercy Hospital to hearten health care workers (Feb 2020). This year, Portland Buy Local and Portland Downtown hope to channel that feeling and ask the community to write love notes to our fair city. -Top photo by Tony Zeli, and below photos courtesy of Northern Light Health
Portland Downtown is mailing out nearly 2,000 Love Note postcard templates, and additional postcards can be found at local businesses in the downtown district. You can give shoutouts to the local businesses that make you swoon; write a haiku celebrating your favorite shop; express your love through a cute illustration; or even embellish your note with stamps, stickers, or glitter.The sky’s the limit – and we highly encourage creativity! The end result will be a photo gallery filled with positive messages that our entire community can enjoy!
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Every year, the question lingers in my mind: “Will the Valentine’s Day Bandit return?” With decades of tradition leading up to this year, it would be heart-breaking to see it end now. But this year the question weighs more heavily. It would be understandable if a global pandemic limited or thwarted the bandit’s ability to share the love. I don’t have insight into the mind of the bandit, but I think that feeling of joy and community is something we should cultivate as much as we can right now. I can’t guarantee paper hearts throughout the city, but with your help, we hope to spread virtual love notes far and wide.
Mary Alice Scott is Portland Buy Local (PBL) Executive Director. The West End News (WEN) and PBL are media partners, and WEN publisher and editor Tony Zeli is PBL president.
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
Selby Shoes Etc Always a perfect fit
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These stories about my intellectual capacity really get under my skin. For a while I even thought my staff believed it. There on my schedule, first thing every morning, Status quo, it said ‘Intelligence Briefing.’ you know, is Latin
for ‘the mess we’re in.’
Vis thew it us onl in este ndne e at ws.c om
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.
gh, If you live long enou es… you’ll make mistak ver The main thing is ne ver quit. quit, never quit, ne
The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself.
END NEWS
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
EAST END REDEMPTION
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Ask not what our country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.
Ed King’s A Daffy Gull’s Eye View of the City of Portland This month we celebrate the Presidential Inauguration with quotes from a sampling of our modern presidents, FDR to present with Democrats and Republicans equally represented and no repeats. Can you guess which president said what? Original drawing by Ed King
Coloring by Will Hessian & Dialog Edited by Tony Zeli
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
THE BROADER PICTURE
A physician perspective on health equity By Dr. Oren Gersten Equity means considering fairness, impartiality, and context when choosing what is best. Equity is the close cousin of equality, which speaks more towards a comparative state between groups. We often misconstrue these two words as synonymous with “sameness.” But something does not have to be the same to be equitable. For example, the fair take-home pay for someone living in New York City versus rural New York may be different but still equitable. We must consider the cost of living, taxes, and other factors to account for what is fair.
to have preventive care, access to medications, and access to medical advice leading to poorer health. Children are more or less likely to have vaccines available to them based on which state they are born in. These are just a few examples of the inequities in our system.
Furthermore, independent doctors such as myself are experiencing a form of inequity. The CDC has asked large hospital systems in our state to distribute Covid-19 vaccines to health care workers. Instead of devising a system based on fairness, risk, or chance, the health care systems have vaccinated their own, before Health equity applies these principles coordinating vaccine administration to to human health and the health care sys- those outside their system. tem. When assessing equity – or lack of I am not more – or less – deserving of equity – we look at both health outcomes a vaccine than any other practicing doctor (rates of chronic disease, death, illness) as who is at risk of Covid exposure as part well as people’s experience of the system of their job. Waiting for a vaccine would (satisfaction, access, cost). not bother me if the process were transThe United States does poorly in parent and equitable. Clearly the task we most of these metrics. Infant mortality, have placed on our healthcare system is longevity, access to care, and cost are all daunting and good people are doing their poor when compared to other countries. best. No one person is to blame. But, yet That in and of itself is a form of inequity. again, our health care system has failed us. You might say all Americans are suffering Other countries have done a better from lack of good care because of where job with this public health task. The U.K. we live. has a National Health Service system. Unfortunately, the inequity goes Most doctors are public employees in a deeper. People of color experience worse single system. As such, it would be very outcomes than their white counterparts, difficult to create inequity within that syswhich can be attributed to institutional tem. Or consider how Israel has a robust racism. Low-income people are less likely community clinic system. They have been
Above and right: First day of vaccine deliveries in Maine on December 14th. The CDC has asked large hospital systems in our state to distribute Covid-19 vaccines. -Photos courtesy of EMMC
incredibly efficient at vaccinating not only health care workers but also the citizens – who have easy access to local clinics. The U.S. has public infrastructure as well. We could utilize our fire stations, libraries, and schools in the next phase of vaccination. In the United States we have entrusted our health care and public health to large private institutions that have failed to keep us healthy and treat us equitably. Covid has illustrated the deficiencies of our current system. It may be too late to modify our health system for this crisis, but we cannot afford to let the system continue in its current form into the next crisis. Oren Gersten, MD is a boardcertified family doctor who brings his passion for connecting and caring for people to his private practice, Portland Direct Primary Care in South Portland. Reach him at (207) 618-9792 or visit PortlandDirectCare.com.
Coming March 5th....
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THE BROADER PICTURE
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
La Vida Local: Irregular Notes on West End Life
13
By Rosanne Graef
Stay the Course Did you watch the Covid-19 Memorial at the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial on inauguration eve? At last, those 400 lights mirrored in the water for the people we’ve lost was the acknowledgement for which so many of us have yearned. During the inauguration itself, the sight of the National Mall filled with commemorative flags elicited further feelings of heartache, respect, and appreciation for the immensity of the suffering and sacrifice How do we cope with this pandemic emotionally? How do we keep our bearings and deal with things like fear, loneliness, or our country has endured. The Americans loss of purpose? A short film of projects to cope from neighbors in Maine - including The West End News sponsored Covid-19 of different ages and backgrounds who Memorial in Longfellow Square (above & below) - can be found at thewestendnews.com/covid-19-pandemic-projects. took center stage during the inauguration Rosanne Graef lives in the West End and is a regular volunteer contributor. -Photos by Steve Graef inspired hope that we can, as President Biden said, “Live in the present…focus on the future…listen, see, and show respect demic. I knew all my grandparents and all the guy down the street or the woman for each other…and end this uncivil war.” three of my great-grandparents.They were across town are those that turn out to anywhere from their early 50s to their late be the most meaningful without our even Stirring words aside, we must recog- teens in 1918. Yet, no one seems to have realizing it. Extraordinary in their ordinarinize that the pandemic continues.Vaccines passed any of their own remembrances ness, they touch people in ways that compromise eventual relief, but distancing, on to succeeding generations. What were fort both the receiver and the giver. A pimasking, and curtailing in-person gather- their thoughts at the time? How did they anist opens her windows while practicing; ings remain the order of the day. As do cope? Perhaps there were too many oth- a group of friends puts together a public the questions: How do we cope with this er catastrophes that they experienced memorial; people create art, take sunrise emotionally? How do we keep our bear- – WWI, the Depression, WWII – to war- photographs, try recipes, sew masks. Even ings and deal with things like fear, loneli- rant recollecting one that had few bright more they share their techniques and exness, or loss of purpose? spots and ended with uncertainty about periences with their families, friends, and Resources its possible return. It might be helpful to strangers, thanks to the skills and generIf you’d like further ideas and resourcLesson from the Past know. Let’s not lose the opportunity again. osity of a couple who have learned the ins es, look for The UnLonely Project online: and outs of Zoom. A short film of some https://www.artandhealing.org. Especially Throughout the pandemic I’ve been Ordinary Acts of Kindness of these projects is located at https:// check out the tab for Stuck At Home (Tostruck by how little people learned thewestendnews.com/covid-19-pandemgether). through their families about the 1918 panOften examples of small actions by ic-projects. No matter our age or station in life, You can do things like this as well and we can all use a boost to keep us steady it doesn’t take internet access. Make a coland ready for the challenges ahead, when lage, write, or draw something and display the pandemic is well and truly over. Until it in your window or outdoors. Bake and then, please, heed the posters and banners: give some to a neighbor. You never know whose feelings will be lifted. Maybe yours. We’ve come this far, Stay the Course.
Sponsor a Print Ad for a Small Business of Your Choice! Independently-owned shops and restaurants help our city thrive. As we all face the ecnomic disruptions brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, we at The West End News want to do our part by offering a new way to support local business!
GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE SPONSOR A SMALL BUSINESS is a program of The West End News designed to promote locally-owned businesses AND support local journalism. Help your favorite local businesses advertise — in The West End News at discounted rates — so they can let customers know when they’re open and what their customer conduct rules are.
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
THE BROADER PICTURE
Practices for Making the Most of a Challenging Year For many of us, 2020 was one of the most challenging years of our lives. As we move through 2021, many people continue to struggle with mental health challenges due to stress and overwhelm. Whatever happens this year, accelerating complexity and disruption is the “new normal” and the reality is that we must learn to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy, positive, and effective, no matter what this year brings.
Focus on What You Can Control A central theme of 2020 was “uncertainty.” Life is always uncertain, but most of the time we operate as if we have more control over our lives than we actually do. In the face of tremendous uncertainty, we can empower ourselves and take responsibility for our lives by recognizing and exercising our capacity to choose how we respond to the inevitable challenges of life.
Michael Stern is a certified Emotional Intelligence coach whose mission is to support By Michael Stern others in creating a better life and a more The more we focus on what is out- improve your life, culti- beautiful world. Visit side of our control, the more we hand our vate your character, and w w w. I n t e g ra l A l i g n power over to other people and external have a positive impact on ment.com. forces and conditions. By focusing on what the world. But we must we can control – our mental and emo- honor the limits of our I suggest three simple tips for building tional state, our words, and our actions – time, energy, and attention. When we say good habits: we reclaim our power and discover our yes to one thing, we are also saying no to • Make it easy. Start small (smaller freedom. everything else we could possibly be doing than you think) and design your eninstead. Cultivate Your Core Values vironment to be more conducive for Once we accept the reality of tradeWhile the pandemic is a global event, offs, we can shift our question from “How your desired behaviors. it has affected each of us uniquely. And our can I make it all work?” to “Which prob• Make it enjoyable. Leverage your response to the experience can reveal a lem do I want to solve?” strengths and interests. Do it with a lot about us. friend. Give yourself a reward. The Living essentially means that rather Many people I spoke to in the early than trying to do or be all things for all more you look forward to it, the phases of the pandemic found themselves people at all times, we focus on discerning more likely you are to do it. reflecting on deep questions about their the right thing, for the right reason, at the • Prioritize consistency over inlife and identity: What is truly important right time. We explore our options, and tensity. A new habit must be stabiin my life? What type of person do I want then eliminate the trivial many to priorilized before it can be optimized. Reto be? How do I want to respond to the tize the vital few. The focus is on less, but member that you’re playing the long challenges I face? game. better. Reflect on your experience of 2020: When we try to change everything all Think about your life in terms of Where did you successfully live and work just three areas: Self, Relationships, Work. at once, we are more likely to fail. But if in alignment with your values? Where do Then consider, what is the one change you you take the time to build a solid foundayou still see room for improvement? would like to make in each of these areas? tion of a few keystone practices, every-
Then look ahead to 2021: What habThe key here is to distinguish our cirits, practices, or projects would help you cle of control from our circle of concern. live your values? Examples of things that are of concern but that we cannot control include: what Practice Essentialism decisions the president makes, when a Another lesson many people are takCovid-19 vaccine is available, or whether ing from the pandemic is to slow down. other people choose to wear masks or There are infinite ways you could not.
Build Good Habits
thing else will get better and easier.
For the rest of 2021, focus on buildClear and specific goals are powerful. ing one new practice every three months. But habits are what get you there. Slow, sustained, gradual progress is expoEven if you don’t hit your ultimate nentially more effective than any quick fix. goal, a good habit will still generate posGet Support itive results. And you may be transformed I’ve saved the best for last: Don’t try by the experience in unexpected ways. to do it alone. There are many forms of support: friends, family, work colleagues, community, an accountability partner, a coach, or therapist. Explore options to find out which types of support are most helpful for you in which type of situations.
TWO-PERSON “WALKING TOUR” -COUNTRYSIDE OF SOUTHWEST ENGLAND Companion wanted, male or female, for 70-year-old Portland man All expenses paid -- reservations already set May 6th to May 28th (must be vaccinated by March 30th) Stay in B&Bs, inns, small hotels (rms w twin beds); meals, transportation included, round-trip plane flight and travel insurance also
The new year brings a fresh start and a chance to be inspired by possibility, yet we know that 2021 will bring challenges as well, just like any other year. Applying these principles can help you turn your challenges into opportunities for healing, flourishing, and creating positive impact. Originally published online at CredibleMind.com. Republished with permission of author.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY NEWS!
Visit archaeological, literary, and historical sites -- and the Channel coast; hilly farmland, villages, market towns, fossil beaches, ancient ridgeways and a medieval cathedral; the Saxon kingdom of Wessex
Should have smartphone, valid passport, carry-on size backpack; must be physically fit and in good health: Covid test May 4th -we will employ new app for international travel in pandemic Send personal letter of application to wessexways@gmail.com printed itinerary available on request
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PUZZLE PAGE
Hearts in Media Trivia 1. The novel Heart of Darkness served as the inspiration for what Francis Ford Coppola film set in Vietnam?
2. “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” was the tagline for what TV show about high school football in Texas? 3. First published in 1970, what book by Dee Brown covers the history of Native Americans in the American West in the late 1800s?
Mondays @ Lazzari Find out more on Facebook and Instagram: @bestworsttrivia
4. The band Heart were hard rock pioneers in the 1970s with hits like “Magic Man”, “Crazy on You”, and what other song that shares its name with a large predatory fish? Find the answers online at thewestendnews.com/puzzle-solutions!
many words can you make from the Words In How letters in the phrase below? Words must have at least 4 letters. Plurals don’t count, nor do proper Words nouns, abbreviations, or foreign words not comBy Rosanne Graef
monly used in English.
“Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow.” -from Snow-Flakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow GOLD = 150 words | SILVER = 125 words | BRONZE = 100 words
BONUS= A word denoting a trait unattractive in a child, sometimes admired in an adult? January’s bonus: Words starting with “w” in “A cold white, waste of snow-drifts lies.” Some examples: Window, wolfish, whistle, wrist, weft, wonder, waif, woofer, whale...
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
FOOD & DRINK
LAYNE'S WINE GIG PRESENTS
NEW FARM TO TABLE By Layne V. Witherell
Just stepping inside the new Batson River Brewing and Distilling on 82 Hanover Street in Portland is a total revelation in what we know of as New Farm to Table. I had not even looked up yet, just down. Under my feet was a 19th century Ersari Tribe Tekke Turkoman rug, a prize possession in any 1880’s New England home. That said, the creators of this restaurant were obsessed from your first step to the last detail – even the ones the average diner would not know. Then, you look up.
BASTON RIVER BREWING & DISTILLING 82 Hanover St., Portland “We designed this space to feel like a grand, established home that had welcomed many visitors, hosted many gatherings, and whose walls could tell endless stories of adventure.” Ah, the moose head, circular chandelier, and fireplace… the mood is perfect.Wonderful by day, magical at night. Restaurants are all about the integration of food, beverages, ambiance, and service, all combined to provide a great dining experience. So…where does the “new” part begin. It begins with the concise mission statement on their menu. They grow their own hops and botanicals as well as craft their own beer and spirits. In Batson River, you are in their world – totally. Somewhere in the middle of drinking their Batson Black “warming dark lager” it dawned on me that I was in the farm to table version of Henry Ford’s famous quote: “You can have any color of my car as long as it’s black.” I suddenly felt boxed in, albeit in splendid surroundings. Despite the quality of their beers, as we moved along to their Batson School Days Coffee Porter, I was yearning for a Mast Landing Gunners Daughter to compare, or a Maine Beer Company Mean Old Tom to start seriously thinking about malts.
We calmed down a bit when we hit the Poutine, a beer braised short rib with roasted jalapeno, onion strings, and cheese curds. My wife Judy is the poutine expert in the family and made a spot-on analysis. “They usually use too much salt; this perfect.”
Once the revolutionary New Farm to Table restaurant of choice for Layne, he wonders could Vinland be resurrected as the hippest food truck ever? If so, he has a wine suggestion for your brunch ovelooking the Western Promenade!
-Photos by Layne Witherell I asked our server about a wine list and he replied that they had Sutter House (actually, Sutter Home) on tap and a prosecco – that was it. There is no room to rent business model of grow it, distribute be a wine snob while dining out in a world it, and sell it yourself is admirable and will surrounded by extraordinary local beer. no doubt add to the acquisition of a lot Three trips later they had changed up more Tekke rugs. their two wine offerings four times, once in the middle of our glass of chardonnay VINLAND (now deceased) (but the new glass of Dry Creek Dry Formerly at 593 Congress St., PortChenin Blanc was comped). In a place this land cool, the two wines by the glass could do The space is vacant and rentable at better than resemble a tryout for a sports $19.46 per square foot (1,720 square feet). team.You could also be offered something Per square foot Vinland represented, in its a tad bit better than what you stock for short time (2013-2020), the New Farm to the kiddos when they descend on your Table movement as a major revolutionary house from college. force. The movement standing on its head. First, there was the manifesto: a lengthy I drank my Truth screed aimed directly at the heart of conor Consequencsumer culture that sought to make the es Cabernet while place resemble a metaphysical tourists’ wishfully thinking Adventureland. Only using locally grown about a recent glass Maine ingredients. It must have been exof Seghesio Sonoma cruciatingly tough to be inside owner-chef Zinfandel that would David Levi’s head, much less a segment of emulate the ambiour allergy centric food obsessed public. ance. Just charge more – you can get We knew before going that you could it. leave your food preferences at the door. Their Pear and Apple Salad of fennel, No problem. You did not get to make the arugula, bleu cheese, pecan, cider-molasses choice, the chef did. There were some vinaigrette is sharable and delicious with spectacular dishes. The oat cakes! Oh, the balance and harmony. A Bissell Brothers oat cakes! Substance or a glass of Joel Gott Sauvi“The reviews were mixed and pasgnon Blanc would have been perfection. sionate,” from The New York Times. They The New Farm to Table is interesting, were. David was a tightrope walker at but the old model of introducing a nice every dinner service for years. The thing beer tap takeover, with the opportunity that I really miss most was the check at to compare old favorites with new finds, the end of the evening. Not the price, that will keep a loyal audience interested and was always painful, but the format. It was returning much more frequently. The cur- presented inside a book written by a 50’s
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I do not write this as an obit, but as a path forward to the best of New Farm to Table. Vinland could be resurrected as the newest, greatest, hippest food truck ever. The iconic birch sides would remind you of the restaurant, and when combined with gleaming solar panels for a roof the effect would be both esthetically and ecologically stunning. David in the small kitchen with his signature Karate Kid bandana and dark long sleeve shirt would conjure up nostalgic memories. A small five item menu could change daily, and be expensive, reflecting the ingredients. For an ideal brunch, pull up a retractable beach chair with a view of the Vinland Food Truck and the Western Prom, order up some glorious oat cakes, and text either Car Hop or Door Dash for a can of Austin Street 6 Grain Milk Stout. Or order a bottle of The Oddity, a dry wine from the Royal Tokay winery, growers of ultra-late harvest wines that have a legendary history of keeping dying popes alive. The ferment grape in this case is bone dry, a perfect pairing with David’s oat cakes or his many mushroom dishes. It offers up “the familiar taste of something very different.” Welcome to Vinland reimagined.
CONT'D ON PG. 17
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Tu, We, Fr: 7:30am - 4pm | Sa: 8am - 1pm
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FOOD & DRINK
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
17
NEW FARM TO TABLE Cont'd from Pg.16
NEW FARM TO TABLE WINE As you know by now, I choose my wines based purely upon tens of thousands of wine and food memories, several hundred wine books, and decades of scribbled notes. Lamoresca Rosato came from a case of wines purchased from Cocktail Mary on 229 Congress Street, all gloriously mixed up. The question of the evening was what accompanies El Corazon takeout Mexican food? Lamoresca Rosato is from a small farm in the middle of nowhere in Sicily, made with the famed nero d’avola grape featuring little technical intervention. As a light, fizzy, low alcohol wine with strawberry notes it was an unexpectedly perfect pairing with pico de gallo, chile relleno, and guacamole. Now, that’s new farm to table adventure!
BLUE VIRTUAL EVENT We will be returning on Friday, February the 19th at 5:30 p.m. for a Zoom and Facebook live event winetasting, with all donations going to support Blue. You can reach them at portcityblue.com, 207-7744111, or through their Facebook page. Wines are available at OhNo Café, 87 Brackett Street, Portland, 774-0773. Sign up and participate to have some fun.
CAFE
Lamoresca Rosato is a light, fizzy, low alcohol wine with strawberry notes.
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 the Master Knight of the Vine for his pioneering work in the Oregon wine industry. Visit http://winemaniacs.wordpress.com/blog.
ESPRESSO BAR
CATERING
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THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Out of Our Comfort Zone I’ve covered for the Earth Science, ley to the banks of the Mighty Zambezi River for an exhilarating rafting adventure. Art, Gym, Algebra, and Special EduAs a travel counselor, I strive to navi- A few others took helicopter tours. We cation teachers… and the librarian! gate my clients on authentic experiences, experienced “The Falls” from all sides… Most days I am immersed in the Ensafely out of their comfort zone and into glish Language Learners classroom as While “The Falls” and game preserves a one-on-one assistant. My mornings an appreciation of other cultures, landscapes, traditions, food, music, and people. were breathtaking, it was the people we are full of the voices, questions, lanmet, the schools we visited, the history, Where does our comfort zone come the personal stories we listened to, and guages, and smiles behind the masks from, and how and why does it change? friendships we made that made this trip of teenagers from around the world. They represent Angola, Guatemala, ReAre we born with a narrow or broad one of my favorite all time adventures. public of Congo, Kenya, Honduras, Egypt, comfort zone? Does it develop over time Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic with experience? I say the latter. Luckily, Travel Not Always Required of the Congo (formerly Zaire). travel can take you away from your home With my travel business on hold due and outside your comfort zone. I have traveled far away from my to the pandemic, I have stepped safely out home and out of my comfort zone many Building Connections in of my own comfort zone and found myself times… and always by choice. back in school four days a week as a dedSouthern Africa icated substitute teacher at Deering High Many students who I’m getting to In the spring of 2016, I organized and School in Portland. know have traveled out of their comfort traveled to Southern Africa with a small Since early October, I’ve developed a zone too, but not necessarily by choice. group of adventurous friends. We jourThey have a lot to learn and share. Many neyed from Cape Town to the game parks keen appreciation of education, diversity, students speak three or four languages. cultural, linguistic, and academic differencof Kruger and Karongwe. es. Deering students speak over fifty home They have been on the move and have We flew to Zimbabwe and walked languages and come from more than thir- missed years of school. Or they have startalong the side of Victoria Falls, where the ty countries on five different continents. ed school in one country in one language mist made its own rainbow. We cruised In fact, Deering is the only high school in and then moved along to a different counabove “The Falls” at sunset with cock- the state to offer Mandarin,Arabic, French, try or countries, schools, and languages. I am humbled. I regret that I never did learn tails and crocodiles. We hurried across and Spanish classes. another language. I wish I could speak the bridge over “The Falls” (crossing the and understand Portuguese, Spanish, or border of Zambia and Zimbabwe) before French. These kids are quick and resilient dark because the elephants sometimes and patient with me. Google translate is use the same path at dusk. My friend our friend! Bruce and I ventured down the steep valBy Nancy Dorrans
Nancy Dorrans at Victoria Falls. Nancy is currently working as a Dedicated (in school) Substitute Teacher at Deering High School. She figured she could do something meaningful while we wait for travel to be safe again. -Photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans
lessness. Not much scares me, especially strangers. My lack of fear scared my mother and it often scares my friends and family. For me though, intrigue trumps fear. I am driven to meet and immerse myself in different cultures over and over again. The more unique and authentic the interactions, the more comfortable and engaged and at home I become. It is this intrigue that compels me in my work as a travel counselor. And now it is this same intrigue that serves me well as a dedicated substitute teacher.
I feel quite blessed to have landed in such an amazingly welcoming and diverse world of Deering High School. I didn’t I have said this before: I have a strong even need to pack a bag, get on a plane, or sense of adventure accompanied by fear- use my passport!
Go, Be Fearless
Above: Banner hanging in the halls of Deering High School in Portland. Left: Photo from Adventure Marketplace trip to Southern African.
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THEWESTENDNEWS.COM
THE WEST END NEWS | FEBRUARY 2021
THE DUMPSTER…
19
Reflection Point By Michael A. Bell
WHERE WE THROW EVERYTHING THAT DID NOT FIT… City reminds business owners that as of January 1st the Plastic Straw Ordinance prohibits the distribution of plastic straws, stirrers, and splash sticks even when requested by the customer… Reiche teachers take a polar plunge at East End Beach to raise funds to buy books about perseverance and overcoming obstacles… In business news… Browne Trading Company reopens their brick-and-mortar location in time for Valentine’s Day caviar needs… Chaval restaurant opens heated greenhouse dining spaces with a view of Reiche… Friends of Congress Square Park hire Michigan native C.J. Opperthauser as their next Executive Director… Portland Downtown raises money for Portland’s next great mural through sales of TOGETHER apparel… In ridiculous list news… Maine is honored as the 7th Best State to Drive In thanks in part to a lack of rush hour traffic and low rate of auto theft… The Bernie Sanders inauguration meme was popular in Portland and our favorite is this one from Portland Rec lamenting over the ice conditions at Payson Park…................................................................................
The black and white photos of Kristall Nacht show scenes of burned businesses and temples, smashed furniture, and a sea of overflowing broken glass rising in a tide of steep endless darkness. Firefighters and police stood aside. Instigated by the Führer, it was the unmistakable turning point from Aryanization to the Final Solution. The color videos and selfies of Kristall Nachmittag show Confederate flags, a hood in Camp Auschwitz, smashed furniture, and endless shards of glass beneath shattered windows of our entitled Temple of Democracy. Two police died. A few stood aside, not waiting to see the whites of their eyes but the skins of adherents of Aryan Nations. Invited by the Leader of the Free World, co-workers, enablers, and sycophants now cravenly talk of inflection points, await an ephemeral final resolution. About two miles from the Capitol rests Lincoln’s Reflecting Pool, capturing shimmering images of Washington’s Monument and whoever else determines to stare into its moving mirror for glimmered answers. Jesus and Abe noted the certain infirmity of a divided house, not its withstanding half and half. Hard to build, far harder to maintain, democracy doesn’t have a prayer unless shared truth is sustained. Submit your poem: Send to thewestendnews@ gmail.com. Deadline for publication is the 4th Friday of every month. Our column space is very limited, publication is not guaranteed.
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20
THE WEST END NEWS
FEBRUARY EDITION 2021
el corazÓn mexican restaurant
delicious authentic mexican food from the heart prepared fresh daily to order
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muchas gracias!
On behalf of Laura, Joe, and the rest of ´ family we want to thank all the El Corazon of you out there in newspaper land for all your continued support with your take-out and delivery orders during this difficult time. We truly appreciate it from the ´ bottom of our hearts (Corazon). Together we will re(Maine) strong.
FULL MENU AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOUT INCLUDING ICE COLD MEXICAN BEERS: DOS EQUIS, MODELO, SOL, TECATE... Tacos – Burritos – Quesadillas – Enchiladas – Sopes – Pozole – Goat Birria – Fajitas – Cocteles de Marisco – Chile Rellenos – Carne Asada – Lamb Shanks in Adobo & much more.
www.elcorazonportland.com (207) 536-1354 “To know how to eat is to know enough”
Salud!
Our famous House Margarita Mix is available for take-out NOW with alcohol!