The West End News - December Edition 2022 - Vol. 22 No. 12

Preserving the Forest City A

Brief Summary of the Heritage Tree Ordinance

By Colin Monahan

“Good trees and green spaces are like good neighbors on a crowded street. You can’t live well without them,” said Herb Adams, Parkside’s tree survey pio neer. Adams counted and cataloged each of Parkside’s 510 trees in an effort to sup port their conservation.

Liz Parsons and Rosanne Graef of the West End Neighborhood Association (WENA) hope to build upon Adam’s work and conduct a similar tree survey in the West End. Liz and Rosanne have been advocating for the strengthening and ex pansion of Portland’s Heritage Tree Ordi nance, an ordinance under the Urban For estry Program that protects trees with a special importance to the city due to their historical association or horticultural val ues.

Many residents are upset with devel opers’ neglectful cutting and removal of trees.

“The heritage tree ordinance is the only mechanism we have that would re quire someone who has private prop erty who has cut something - that they shouldn’t have cut - to have to replace or pay into the Tree Trust Fund,” said Rosanne.

If a landowner cuts a heritage tree and seeks not to replant, they can opt to pay into the Tree Trust Fund, a fund estab lished by the city to plant and maintain public street trees.

“The city’s heritage tree ordinance could be improved by closing the loop hole that allows developers to buy their way out of tree planting and make sure that property owners understand the val ues of trees,” said Adams, “to reduce it to monetary value is a sad commentary of our times.”

According to Project Canopy, about 23% of Portland sits under its urban tree canopy. But there is potential to expand its urban tree canopy an additional 27%. This would cover half of Portland’s land surface.To reduce this number to a mone tary value, a 23% urban canopy cover pro vides an estimated $874,390 in air quality benefits annually and nearly $16 million in long-term carbon sequestration.

Currently, there are 20,000 trees in Portland and only five city employees to maintain and safeguard them. Jeff Tarling, Portland’s City Arborist, encourages citi zens to help out where they can and con sider the dignity of a tree.

“Its very challenging to grow infra structure. This is not something in the fixed built environment, but you’re grow ing plants outdoors. That tree is actually growing in the sidewalk, and it needs a lit tle extra care,” says Tarling. “The Heritage Tree Ordinance, whether its saving big

trees or for the environmental benefits, it’s about promoting the importance of having a canopy and having street trees. I think a lot of times it gets taken for grant ed.”

Urban trees are immensely important to our quality of life. Urban trees reduce stormwater runoff, provide shade for our streets, reduce wind speeds, and improve air quality. The trees in our communities must not be viewed as private property but as public goods to be enjoyed for gen erations.

“People should think about whether this tree really belongs to them if it’s a pri vate tree? Like air and water, trees belong to everybody. We have some responsibili ty to each other to make pleasant healthy neighborhoods and environments,” said Rosanne.

“The turn of the last century Portland Cont'd on Pg. 3

Winter Storm Info

Portland reminds residents of winter storm operations and regulations

The Portland Department of Public Works reports that they are ready for the season. Every year they plow and maintain over 560 lane miles of road. In addition, the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities De partment cares for more than 100 miles of sidewalks!

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL REGULATIONS

• TIME TO SHOVEL: The City’s side walk snow removal ordinance requires business owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their prop erty 12 hours following a winter storm. Residential owners must clear snow and ice abutting their property 18 hours fol lowing the end of a storm or when the City finishes snow removal operations, whichever is later.

• 4-FT. MIN: A minimum of four feet is required to be clear of snow and treat ed for ice on all public sidewalks and sidewalk access ramps. Snow cannot be pushed or dumped from driveways and parking lots onto public access side walks and access ramps. Page 14

Historian Herb Adams conducts a lecture in front of a large oak at a Deering Oaks historical walking tour.

-Photo by Katherine Parker

Self-compassion for the holidays by International Mrs. USA Whitley Marshall

Amanda Comeau: Speaking for Survivors of Sex Trafficking Best of 2022

-WEN file photo

Local holiday alternatives... Less presents, more presence!

Letter from the Editor

The December edition takes a new look at urban trees in the Forest City. We covered Portland’s Heritage Tree Ordi nance when it was first past several years ago. Now, we look at current community efforts to survey and protect their valu able urban trees.

Also, as we do every winter, we pro vide updated information from the City of Portland on their snow removal oper ations and regulations. Did you know you are responsible for clearing the sidewalks abutting your property to 4-feet of clear ance within 18 hours following the end of a storm? Now you do!

Find plenty of holiday cheer in this edition as well! From Layne’s Best of 2022 (Pg. 12-13) to Nancy Dorrans’ local holi day alternatives (Pg. 14). Also, find holiday self-compassion advice from Portland’s own Whitley Marshall on Page 17. Whitely was recently crowned International Mrs. USA and is a compassionate leadership instructor.

As always, thank you for picking up your free print edition of The West End News.We are proud to serve the commu nities of Portland, South Portland, West brook, Falmouth, Scarborough, Yarmouth, Saco, Freeport, and Brunswick. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful Decem ber!

Thank you for reading !

-Tony Zeli, Publisher & Editor

SUBMISSIONS

WEN is a community newspaper and we need your voice! Share your submis sions with thewestendnews@gmail.com or send to: The West End News, 795 Con gress Street, Portland, Maine 04102.

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• WEN also accepts poetry, cartoons, and photo submissions.

Deadline for publication is the fourth Friday of every month. Publication is not guaranteed and submissions may be edit ed for length and content.

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Thank you for reading!

Detail: Longfellow Square circa 1900

was named the Forest City - many of the historical accounts I’ve researched speak about it being this great arc of and can opy of green trees punctuated by white church steeples and towers like City Hall and the Munjoy Hill Observatory tower,” says Herb Adams, author of “Bold Vision: The History of the Portland Park System.” “I think the city has the talent for it and certainly the citizens have the desire for it. We could be the forest city again.”

A collaboration amongst Parkside, St. John/Valley Street, West End, and Western Promenade Neighborhood Associations

will meet in 2023. They hope to address the crucial role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable and healthy. To get involved contact your local neighborhood association or support the Tree Trust Fund.

Colin Monahan is a community orga nizer, server, and journalist. His previ ous work has focused on social move ments in Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Georgia. Colin believes in accessible, independent, lo cal journalism.

La Vida Local Irregular Notes on West End Life

Good Luck to Us Part 2

By Rosanne Graef

Last month’s La Vida Local introduced the Maine Coun cil on Aging’s lofty goal of creating an Age-Positive (Age+) Maine by 2032. In other words, eliminating ageism within the next ten years. Like eliminating other “-isms,” this is going to be tough sledding and, as suggested, the first step is to take the time to notice ageism.

Perhaps the next step is to actively look for and act on opportunities to have contact with people who differ from you with regard to age. Developed by Gordon Allport in the 1950s, this is known as “intergroup contact theory” in social psychology. The theory proposes that if members of different groups can interact un der conditions of equal status and common goals, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrim ination decrease. Sounds easy, right? The method has had success with religious and racial groups, so why not try it across age groups?

Here’s where the stumbling blocks begin. “The Generation Myth” by Bobby Duffy reported that:

“Over the past century, the United States has gone from being one of the most age-integrated societies in the world to one of the most age-segre gated, so much so that in many parts of the country, age segregation is as stark as ethnic segregation. In one study, Americans over the age of sixty said that only a quarter of the people they had discussed ‘important matters’ with during a six-month period were thirty-five or younger; if they didn’t count relatives, the number dropped to just 6 percent.”

How can you have contact with someone when your paths never cross? Sorting people into housing by age and ability and insulating institutions and organizations from the neighborhoods and residents surrounding them impoverishes everyone. It reduces everyone’s social capital and cuts us off from potential intergenerational friendships that can help ease people’s feelings of loneliness, of being misunderstood, of not fitting in, whether they’re young, old, or in between. Collectively we have done this to our selves, and we need to recognize and address the mess we’ve made.

What can we here in the West End do about this age separation?

There are commonalities between the generations - fashionistas, hobbyists, card collectors, doodlers, sports fanatics, songsters, adventurers, naturalists, contemplators, inventors... Let’s start by saying hello. Then look for chances and create opportunities to get to know each other. We all have a lot to learn.

Standard Time Safety

I seem to write this same message every year. Pedestrians: Please find yourself something yellow, white, pink, orange, or reflective to wear or carry when you’re walk ing around in the dark, especially if the clock still says 4:30 p.m.! Many Portland streets are not all that well lit and it’s difficult for drivers to spot a pedestrian clad all in black.

Drivers: Please do your best to pay close attention and slow down when it’s dark, especially when it’s dark and rainy!

Rosanne Graef lives in the West End and is a regular volunteer contributor. Email her at lavidalocalwen@gmail.com.

OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS November 8th Portland Election

The certified election results are in for the November 8th Portland election. Find a summary below starting with the nonpartisan municipal races, then can didates for the state legislature – where Democrats swept the city’s districts in a landslide, many in uncontested races – and finishing with the charter commission and citizen initiative ballot questions.

At-Large City Council (1) Pious Ali-73.35% Aqeel Mohialdeen-7.33% Richard Ward-16.79%

At-Large School Board (2)

With only two candidates for two at-large school board seats, winners are Ben Grant (41.87%) and Sarah Lentz (44.60%).

District 3 City Council

Nathaniel Ferguson-34.04% Regina Phillips-65.96%

District 3 School Board

When no candidate reached over 50% of the vote, the School Board District 3 race went to ranked choice tabulation. The counting was finished on Wednesday, November 9th, at 10 a.m. at City Hall. Once all choices were tabulated the win ner was Julianne Opperman (54.7%) defeating incumbent Adam Burk and Sam Rosenthal.

Portland Water District (2)

For Portland water district, Freder ick McCann (93.9%) was the only candi date to qualify for the ballot for a one-year term. Longtime incumbent Gary Libby (92.92%) was the only candidate for the five-year term.

State Senator (District 27)

Duson, Jill C. (D) 76.72% Tounge, Jeffrey (R) 20.44%

State Senator (District 28) Abercrombie, Susan M. (R) 12.37% Chipman, Benjamin (D) 84.77%

State Rep. (D-112) Crockett, W. Edward (D) 70.49% Ryan, Tammy (R) 25.19%

State Rep. (D-113) Lookner, Grayson B (D) 77.26%

State Rep. (D-114) Collings, Benjamin T. (D) 80.88%

State Rep. (D-115) Brennan, Michael F. (D) 86.84%

State Rep. (D-116)

Holman, Dale J (R) 15.28% Zager, Samuel Lewis (D) 82.18%

State Rep. (D-117) Moonen, Matthew W. (D) 86.84%

State Rep. (D-118)

Ross, Rachel Talbot (D) 87.36%

State Rep. (D-119)

Doyle, Peter I. (R) 12.19% Skold, Charles A (D) 84.54%

County Commissioner D-4 Smith, Patricia A (D) 75.85%

County Commissioner D-5 Cloutier, James F (D) 82.16%

City Charter Questions

(1-8)

Q1 – Preamble & Land Acknowledgement - PASSES

YES-63% | NO-37%

Q2 – Mayoral Powers & City Political Districts - FAILS

YES-35.1% | NO-64.9%

Q3 – Clean Elections & Ban on Corporate ContributionsPASSES

YES-65.3% | NO-34.7%

Q4 Proportional Ranked Choice Voting - PASSES

YES-63.6% | NO-36.4%

Q5 – School Board Budget Autonomy - FAILS

YES-42.4% | NO-57.6%

Q6 – Peaks Island CouncilPASSES

YES-66.2% | NO-33.8%

Q7 – Civilian Police Review Board - PASSES

YES-61.0% | NO-39.0%

Q8 – Ethics Commission and Code of Ethics - PASSES YES-69.7% | NO-30.3%

Citizen Initiatives (A-E)

QA – Local Ownership of Short-Term Rentals - FAILS

YES-44.2% | NO-55.8%

QB – Reducing the # of Short-Term Rentals - FAILS YES-44.6% | NO-55.4%

QC – 90-Day Eviction Notice & Rent Increase Cap - PASSES

YES-54.9% | NO-45.1%

QD – Increases Minimum Wage & Creates Dept. of Fair Labor Practices- FAILS

YES-38.9% | NO-61.1%

QE – Cruise Ship Passenger Limit - FAILS

YES-27.4% | NO-72.6%

COMMUNITY EVENTS DECEMBER 2022

Makers Market at Maine Mead Works

Sundays in December / 12p-6p / Maine Mead Works (51 Washington Ave, Portland)

It’s not too late to find that perfect gift! Maine Mead Works is hosting a cozy and casual gathering of local makers and serving up mead for your tasting pleasure. Stop by from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to check out the goods! Visit Maine Mead Works Tasting Room, 51 Washington Avenue, in Portland, from Noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays December 4th, 11th, and 18th.

Greek Pastry Bake Sale

Sat, Dec. 10 / 9a-3p / Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (133 Pleas ant St, Portland)

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is hosting our Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, December 10th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us and enjoy selections of our favorite Greek pastries: Baklava, Kou lourakia, Kourabiethes, and delicious Hol iday Bread!

Please join us at 133 Pleas ant Street, Church Parish House. Proceeds bene fit our mission of supporting charitable local organizations. Bread pre-orders recommended. Please call Holy Trinity at 207–774–0281.

Portland Offers Flu & Covid Bivalent Booster Clinic

Sat, Dec. 10 / 9a-12p / Portland Public Health Clinic (39 Forest Ave, Portland)

The City of Port land’s Public Health Division, working with Northern Light, will of fer an additional flu and Covid booster vaccina tion clinic on Saturday, December 10th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at 39 Forest Avenue. Flu and Covid vac cinations will be available to the public, insured and uninsured.

If you are age 12 or older, and it has been two months since your final dose of the primary series or last Covid booster, you are likely due for the Pfizer Covid bivalent booster, and CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu shot annually.

Please wear a loose, short-sleeved shirt, bring your Covid vaccination card for documentation, and if you carry insur ance, you must bring your insurance card for billing.

For more information about Port land’s vaccination clinics, email Sarah Sheldon, Portland Public Health Division’s Immunization Program Coordinator, at ssheldon@portlandmaine.gov or call 207874-8446.

A Winter Solstice Mini-Fest Feat. Matt Flinner & Low Lily

Thu, Dec. 8 / 8p show / OLS (181 State St, Portland) / $20 adv, $30 door

Grammy-nominated bluegrass man dolinist Matt Flinner again teams up with award-winning American Roots band Low Lily to celebrate the Winter Solstice! The event takes place on December 8th at 8 p.m., and tickets are available here: https:// onelongfellowsquare.com.

This high-energy show features in strumentals alongside impeccably ar ranged songs to celebrate the season. Be tween them, the musicians play mandolins, guitars, fiddle, banjo, double bass, and sing in three- and four-part vocal harmonies. Don’t spend your holiday season alone in the dark – come on out and brighten your December with A Winter Solstice MiniFest!

Virtuosic mandolinist Matt Flinner has made a career out of playing acoustic music in new ways. The Jazz Times dubs him “the most exciting and creative man dolin player on the scene today.”

With a vocal blend that has been dubbed “outstanding” and “meticulous,” Low Lily has crafted a signature sound which they have shared with enthusiastic audiences throughout North America and the UK, garnering two #1 songs on inter national folk radio and two Independent Music Award wins.

Maine-based player Steve Roy will ac company the show on double bass.

Grant Writing Workshop for Traditional Art ists at Mayo Street Arts

Fri, Jan. 13 / 10a-12p or 1p-3p / Mayo Street Arts (10 Mayo St, Portland)

The Traditional Arts Network (TAN) will host two grant writing workshops on January 13th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mayo Street Arts. Deadline to apply is December 12th.

The grant writing workshop will offer both individual traditional artists and en sembles an opportunity to receive direct, one-on-one assistance with preparing and submitting a proposal. The sessions will be catered to meet the needs of each artist, providing transferable grant writing skills while focusing on a specific grant applica tion.

The workshops are designed for New Mainer and immigrant artists who are seeking assistance with fundraising for a range of projects to serve their com munities and/or their own professional aspirations. Artists from a variety of disci plines—music, dance, writing, textiles, culi nary, etc.—are encouraged to participate. Possible projects include teaching classes or workshops, public performances, the purchase of instruments or supplies, and more.

Sign-ups for the workshop will begin on November 14th and run until Decem ber 12th. There is no registration fee for the workshop and participation will be capped to a limited number of artists.To sign-up for the workshop or visit the Tra ditional Arts Network website at https:// www.mayostreetarts.org/TAN. To request more information or assistance with signups, please email TAN@mayostreetarts. org or call 207-879-4629.

West End Snapshots Revisited

WENA announces a neighborhood photo contest

For all of us there are particular things that are emblematic and evocative of our neighborhood. In 2012, the West End Neighborhood Association did a commu nity-building project in conjunction with Art At Work called West End Snapshots. Neighborhood residents took photos re flecting their special attachments to the West End that were mounted and exhibit ed at the Maine Irish Heritage Center for several days.

Ten years on, WENA has decided to repeat the project and hope you’ll partici pate if you’re a West End resident.

To enter, take three (3) digital pho tos of the West End. To be selected you must follow these instructions:

1. One (1) photo must be of a location in the West End that’s meaningful to you.

2. One (1) photo must be of a person in the West End.

3. One (1) photo must be of something about your home in the West End.

4. Each photo must have a caption iden tifying it and what it means to you.

5. You must also submit a short bioyour name, your interests.

6. E-mail your photos, captions, and bio to hello@wenamaine.org.

All entries must be received by Janu ary 16th, 2023. We plan to have a recep tion and exhibit in late February. More details will be publicized later and will be on our website: www.wenamaine.org. The photos will not be exhibited online.

3+ Million Youth Reported Using Tobacco Product in 2022

A study released in November from the FDA and the CDC found that 3.08 mil lion (11.3%) middle and high school stu dents in America reported current (past 30-day) use of any tobacco product in 2022, which includes 2.51 million (16.5%) high school students and 530,000 (4.5%) middle school students.

The study assessed eight commer cial tobacco products. E-cigarettes—for the ninth consecutive year—were the most commonly used tobacco product among all students (2.55 million), followed by cigars (500,000), cigarettes (440,000), smokeless tobacco (330,000), hookah (290,000), nicotine pouches (280,000), heated tobacco products (260,000), and pipe tobacco (150,000). The term “tobac co product” as used in this report refers to commercial tobacco products and not to sacred and traditional use of tobacco.

Among all race and ethnicity groups, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native students had the highest percent age of any tobacco product use (13.5%), while non-Hispanic White students re ported the highest percentage of e-ciga rette use (11.0%). Approximately one mil lion youth reported using any combustible tobacco product; non-Hispanic Black stu dents reported the highest percentage of combustible tobacco product use (5.7%), including cigar use (3.3%).

Additional groups with a higher per centage of tobacco product use were those reporting grades of mostly Fs

(27.2%); those reporting severe symptoms of psychological distress (18.3%); those who identified as transgender (16.6%) or as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (16.0%); and those with low family affluence (12.5%).

This study’s findings were based on data from the 2022 National Youth Tobac co Survey (NYTS). NYTS, a cross-section al, self-administered survey of U.S. mid dle (grades 6–8) and high (grades 9–12) school students, was administered January 18th through May 31st, 2022. Changes in methodology limit the ability to compare estimates from 2022 with those from pri or years.

This study’s findings suggest con tinuing disparities in tobacco product use, which to a certain extent could be attributed to greater exposure to tobac co promotion and advertising and great er tobacco retail outlet density in racial and ethnic minority communities, among other systemic factors. Those other fac tors include social determinants of health, which are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of-life risks and outcomes.

Commercial tobacco product use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the US. Nearly all tobacco product use begins during youth and young adulthood. Help youth recognize and avoid the dangers of tobacco and encourage youth who use to bacco products to quit.

Northern Light Mercy Hospital Receives Gift to Create FamilyCentered Behavioral Health Program

Northern Light Mercy Hospital re ceived a $1.2 million gift from Jerry and Pam Bruni that will help address the be havioral health crisis affecting children and their families in the greater Portland re gion. This gift from the Brunis, who now live in Colorado, will honor Mr. Bruni’s late parents, James and Hilla Bruni, and benefit the community where they raised their family many years ago.

The gift will fund the establishment of the James and Hilla Bruni Family-Cen tered Integrated Behavioral Health Pro gram. Once in place, this new program will build upon Mercy Hospital’s strong com munity partnerships and fund a specialized and dedicated care team that will provide early intervention treatment to children and their caregivers in need of behavioral health care.

In making their extraordinary gift to Mercy Hospital, Jerry and Pam Bruni wish to honor the lives of James and Hilla and the values of service they championed through helping to stabilize the lives of children who are in crisis while keeping them in their homes. The Brunis’ invest ment will help fund a pediatric psychiatric provider, a dedicated licensed social work er, and specialized case managers.

Portland Public Health to Launch Mental Health Mini Grant

The City of Portland’s Public Health Division is pleased to announce the re lease of a request for proposals (RFP) to provide support to organizations which support mental health and wellbeing of Mainers struggling with behavioral health related challenges.

These mini-grants, made possible with grant funding from the Maine Cen ter for Disease Control, will be allocated in amounts up to $25,000. Applications, which will be available beginning Friday, November 18th, will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

The 2022 Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment identified pri orities including mental health, substance use, access to care, and social determi nants of health and the toll that the Covid pandemic has taken on our communities. The report emphasizes the pandemic’s impacts on behavioral health, especially for those who experience systemic disad vantages.

Local community-based agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and schools are encouraged to apply. Prior ity will be given to organizations within the City of Portland, but proposals across Cumberland County will be considered. For more information on eligibility re quirements, please contact Bridget Raus cher at bnevers@portlandmaine.gov.

northernlighthealth.org/howareyou

It’s a question we rarely ask ourselves. But we’re encouraging you to ask the people in your life, starting with yourself. Then connect with us at

Winter Storm Info

Cont'd from Pg. 1

•

FINES: Business owners who fail to remove snow and ice within these time frames risk facing a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second of fense within the same winter season, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense within the same winter season. Res idential owners can be fined $75 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense in the same winter season, and $250 for any subsequent offense in the same winter season. Additionally, should the city have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, the prop erty owner will be charged for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for ad ministration.

• MAP: To view a map of city sidewalks cleared by City crews, see https://port landmaine.gov/601/Winter-Sidewalks.

GET YOUR SAND & SALT

The City’s free residential sand and salt pile is at the Little League parking lot in Payson Park.The sand and salt pile is for residential use only. Contractors are not allowed. Residents can take two five-gal lon pails at a time.

HELP WITH SNOW REMOVAL

• ELDERLY AND DISABLED RES

IDENTS: Those who need help with removing snow from sidewalks should contact the City’s Elder Services Department at 207-541-6620. The Age-Friendly Portland Steering Com

mittee is looking for volunteers willing to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter. To volunteer, visit https:// www.portlandmaine.gov/329/Volun teers-Snow-Shoveling.

PARKING BANS: ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS

• The City can call a city-wide parking ban, a peninsula ban which covers the entire peninsula, or a yellow zone ban, which covers the downtown district.

• Residents and visitors can view alerts on the City’s website at www.portland maine.gov or sign up to receive email, text, and phone notices via the Stay Connected feature when parking bans are declared.You can also text the word PortlandParkingBan to 38276 to join. People can also get parking ban up dates by following City news on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Motorists can also call the parking ban hotline at 207879-0300.

PARKING DURING AN ACTIVE PARKING BAN

• FIRE HYDRANTS: Members of the community are encouraged to help the Portland Fire Department by keeping their neighborhood fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. The City currently has 1,460 public hydrants. Citizens are also encouraged to help Public Works by clearing catch basins and storm drains in front of their homes to help prevent water ponding on their streets and in their driveway openings.

CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE

For customer service related to win ter operations, please call 207-874-8493. For sidewalk plowing concerns, please call 207-874-8793.

• TOWED? NO CHECKS: All vehicles left on the street during a snow parking ban may be towed at the owner’s ex pense. Only cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover cards are accepted. No checks will be accepted. The snow impound lot can be reached at 207-774-3025.

• PARKING LOTS: Snow ban park ing lot options can be found at https:// www.portlandmaine.gov/snowban. Please check the list each year as lot availability does change. This year there are changes to school lots due to con struction activity.

• ON-STREET PARKING: Residents able to park off-street should do so to allow crews to remove snow and emer gency vehicles to travel safely and effi

ciently. If parking your car on the street, please park as close to the snowbank/ curb as possible. Often people park sev eral feet away from the curb to allow passengers to move in and out of the car easily. Parking the car in this man ner shortens the width of the street by several feet, making it difficult for Port land snowplows to clear the street safe ly and emergency vehicles to respond as quickly as possible. If the street is impassable for an emergency vehicle, the vehicle blocking the street will be towed.

WATCH THE SIGNS

• STREET MAINTENANCE SIGNS: Please remember to observe the post ed every other week street mainte nance signs, as those restrictions are used to aid in cleanup following snow events.

• EMERGENCY NO PARKING: Be on the lookout for any emergency no parking signs that may be posted on streets following major snow events to aid in further snow removal. These signs are only required to be posted 12 hours in advance.

Additional winter operations tips and reminders can be found at https://www. portlandmaine.gov/596/Winter-Opera tions.

Amanda Comeau: Speaking for Survivors of Sex Trafficking

Every month PelotonLabs co-founder Liz Trice interviews a local community mem ber. This month, Liz caught up with Amanda Comeau, the director of Survivors Speak USA, who serves on the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Maine Tribal Populations and on committees related to homeless ness, poverty, and ending hunger.

What does Survivors Speak USA do?

There’s two parts. We work directly with survivors of sex trafficking to con nect them to mental health, legal, and re covery resources; and we work on policy changes. I also conduct trainings for social workers and parents to help them see and prevent sex trafficking. I have a train ing coming up with over 200 parents in Lewiston to help them learn how to keep their kids safe.

A lot of what I do is outreach. I do as much as I can do on a low budget and without a car. I’ve been the director for a year and a half and have met with 15 to 80 people per week. This week alone I’ve already met with over 150 people, prob ably a quarter have personally been sex trafficked. I answer my phone at 1 and 2 a.m., I listen to them, I mentor them.

female, between 14 and 30-years-old, with a history of sexual abuse or domestic violence and or absence of supportive caregiver. But there’s a growing incidence and risk for children that are BIPOC and New Mainers. We’re working in Lewiston trying to make it known that children at 13 should not be married. Sometimes kids who don’t have a lot of support at home are “groomed” … befriended by people who later trap, assault, kidnap them, or get them hooked on drugs.

There’s also an increase in the number of men and boys, as well as trans men and women. Men are more likely to act tough and deny it’s happened to them. We’re trying to reduce stigma so people can get help. We don’t want no more “Forgotten Women” as well as black, brown, and in digenous women.

Who are you working with on this?

From Wikipedia: ‘Sex trafficking is hu man trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It has been called a form of modern slavery because of the way vic tims are forced into sexual acts non-con sensually, in a form of sexual slavery.’

In Maine that can look like children or adults being kidnapped or held against their will or through use of drugs and emotional manipulation to keep them in situations where they are used for sex, ei ther for personal or commercially.

Even if the numbers aren’t massive, the amount of harm is.

We have a board, a grant from Maine Health Access Fund, and work a lot with Preble Street Anti Trafficking Services (ATS). We work with District Attorney Jon Sahrbeck. He helped pass the bill with Rachel Talbot Ross and Dee Clark to shift the obligation of proving trafficking from the women to the DA’s office. We work

From MaineSTEN.org:

• There are between 300 and 400 sex trafficking cases in Maine an nually.

• Nearly 40% of law enforcement officers have seen a case in the last year.

• Many homeless and street-involved women and youth surveyed are of fered drugs or money in exchange for sex with a stranger.

with about fifteen organizations work ing on race, indigenous, transgender, and mental health issues.

Then I work with resources for Or ganizing and Social Change (ROSC) is working to end hunger in Maine by 2030 through its Solidarity Network Against Hunger and Poverty in Maine [SNAHP]. We bring together people with lived ex periences, CEOs, social workers, to talk about the root causes: low incomes, lack of jobs, transportation, discrimination. The Good Shepherd Advisory Council. And I’m on the Governor’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indig enous and Maine Tribal Populations, and I’m on a committee called the Feasibility of Basic Income for the Maine Legislature.

How did you get into this work?

I was personally sex trafficked as a kid and have been homeless on and off for seventeen years. In 2008 I met Dee Clark, the founder of Survivors Speak USA, and was inspired and encouraged by her. Dee grew this organization both out of the care for herself and her children, and to let people know that sex trafficking is real here in Maine, and it’s not okay.

Last fall Dee Clark passed away, and I was offered the director position. I’m a leader, but I’ve been put down over the years. As kids we were left for hours out side in the winter, got in a lot of trouble, and got hooked on drugs. My mom didn’t believe me when I told her that her boy friend was inappropriate with me. I raised my sister’s kids while she was in prison and halfway house. I don’t want to see people suffering with mental health and/ or addiction to be looked at any different than someone like you.

I went to the performance of Dee Clark’s play at Westbrook Performing Arts last month. Are there plans

We’d love to. There were hundreds of people there, and we weren’t expect ing so many people to come forward and talk about their experience at the end; we created an opportunity at the end of the play while the audience was still seated for anyone who had experienced sex traffick ing to come forward and tell their story. Not everyone is an open book, and not everyone has the same story, but dozens of people came up and told their story. We would like to bring versions of the play to colleges and talk to teenagers.

People who want to help, make donations, or need help can:

Contact Amanda at acomeau792016@ gmail.com or 207-331-6586.

Call Preble Street’s Anti Trafficking Ser vices, M-F, 8-5 p.m., 207-775-0026.

Call National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.

Donate to Maine Sex Trafficking and Ex ploitation Network: https://www.mainesten.org/htfund.html.

Donate to Survivors Speak USA: http://www.survivorspeakusa.net.

The typical victim in Maine is white,

In 2018, I started working with the People’s Housing Coalition, making tes timony on policies both in Portland City Hall and in Augusta. I’ve been following Dee’s dream to get all the organizations in Maine that work with survivors work ing together.

PelotonLabs is a co working space in the West End of Portland, Maine with a mission to connect and encourage people working on their own to manifest their vi sions without fear.

PelotonPosts is created by PelotonLabs. WEN provides column space without charge. PelotonLabs has been a paid advertiser.WEN publisher and editor Tony Zeli is a coworking member at PelotonLabs.

Amanda and Rob Duquette run Music and Magic Maine, which collects and gives musi cal instruments to kids. -Courtesy photo

What’s the definition of sex trafficking, and how common is it in Maine?

Who is most vulnerable to sex trafficking?

to do more performances?

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Layne's Wine Gig Presents BEST OF 2022

By Layne V. Witherell

I guess when you taste (and consume) a whole lot of wines in a year the last thing you want to extol on is a pinot grigio (a beginner classic) or a Ripasso (the com munity college of Italian reds). No, you want to move right to the top without any nudging from rookie wine reps.

CHAVAL CRU BEAUJOLAIS DINNER (58 Pine St., Portland)

What made this intimate courtyard dinner great was the location, brilliant food and wine pairings, and most of all the guest speaker. Damien Sansonetti is co-owner of Chaval and the sleuth behind locating the wines.

Beaujolais doesn’t normally carry cache (think Beaujolais Nouveau - this is not it), but if selected and sourced right it can be magic. Of the 25,000 acres of gamay grapes that are slurp-able reds, ten villages are named “cru” on their labels. These are the ones to look for. Beaujolais doesn’t appear on these labels - just the town names. They age well and develop remarkable complexity. The fruit, ahhh, the gamay fruit.

This dinner was a clinic of “cru” vil lages ranging from 2009 to 2020, pairing wines with each accompanying dish, and iconifying them in airplane language:Taking Off (young ones), Cruising Altitude, and Descending (older ones).

Taking Off: Daniel Bouland “Bellevue” Morgon, 2017, served with roasted or ganic heritage chicken. Fruit with lots of tannin, a “fasten your seat belts” flavor. It’s a gamay youngster with years to go on the flight.

Cruising Altitude: Domaine Chignard “Les Moriers” Fleurie, 2016, with breezy hill pork. The place, the grape, and the dish all in mid-flight relaxation. Perfec tion.

Descending: “Clos de la Roilettes” Fleurie, 2009, with charred and brazed leeks. Reaching peak maturity, this gamay is coming home.

Just keep your eyes peeled, sign up early, and never miss a Chaval wine dinner.

AN UNDER THE RADAR EVENT

The Portland Harbor Hotel and EatDrink-Lucky (a free daily newsletter that sends you suggestions for all things Maine) presented a remarkable tasting of five wines from the famed Italian Barolo pro ducer Beni di Batasiolo. Pictured is their single vineyard 2015 Barolo.

“Young Barolo is just mean.” The Nebbiolo grape is tough skinned, produc ing long-lived expensive wines with the capability of astonishing depth and inten sity. The best ones usually run upwards of

The flight of Cru Beaujolais presented at a Chaval wine dinner attend by Layne and his wife Judy. The dinner was one of Layne's Best of 2022. -All photos courtesy of Layne Witherell

$100.00 per bottle, and these were no exception. Get out your best cut of beef, wild game, or blue cheese.

For me, the best part, other than tast ing deliriously great wines, was the guest speaker Mr. Ricardo March, their US/Can ada Director. He was the real deal, taking us for a deep dive into the wines, region, and culture. It is a delight to have a sea soned pro visit our little city and share a lifetime of knowledge.

When you see events of this caliber pop up on your phone, just clear your calendar and sit back for one terrific af

ternoon.

THE BEST RIDE EVER

We had been saving up that 401K money. But before it slid out onto the curb, we decided to use some and head off to Rome - THE ROME. We have visited previously, but you just can’t get enough of Rome.

We did an Airbnb that was one block from our favorite wine bar Cul De Sac in Piazza Pasquilino (You gotta have priorities!). It was also within a stone’s throw from Pi

Cont'd on Pg. 13

CAFE & CATERING

$16.00

azza Navona. We popped into the Panthe on for a peek, got that all important res ervation for Villa Borghese, had an exciting jaunt through the newly energized neigh borhood of Testaccio. We also toured the must-see old power plant turned into an ancient Roman statuary museum (and it isn’t crowded!).

Don’t forget to drink lots of Trebbia no d’Abruzzo. There is some available lo cally, but never enough. Ditto for Pecori no (no, not the cheese). The Champagne look-alike Franciacorta is delicious.

Tram Jazz was the highlight! We dis covered it in my battered edition of Rick Steve’s Rome 2018. “A creative venture by the public transit company, combines din ner, music (and a wine tasting for our ride), and a journey through the city in a vintage cable car for a mostly local crowd.”

tured winery, Cincinnato Vineyards from the Lazio wine region of Rome.

Ms. Giovanna Trisorio was our onboard guide, describing local grapes and letting us in for a bit of insider information. They are planning to plant grapes in the forum/colosseum area. WOW, that authen tic ancient Rome.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC. Look that one up. The ancient Roman grape Bellone grown in the Cori hills, tasting of exotic seashells. A total surprise on the trip. Always a new place and grape, as it should be.

When the marvelous jazz quartet played the Bobby Darrin classic “Some where Beyond the Sea,” I asked our tour guide, Giovanna, if she was a fan.

“Actually, the winery is two hundred meters above the sea and each of the songs in the set refers to something about each wine.” Bobby Darrin would be proud. This culture hasn’t been around for thou sands of years for nothing.

HITS & MISSES

It goes from nine to midnight (classic Roman dining hours) with stops and sips at the Forum, Colosseum, and other very scenic spots along the way. The highlight (other than a view of the Colosseum at night through your wineglass) is tasting and sitting with the manager of the fea

Beaujolais Nouveau at above ten bucks a bottle is a kneejerk celebration in futility with your hard earned, inflationary ridden dollars. If you go to Winesearcher. com you will find a list of these mouse breath, carbonic maceration little darlings going up to $29.00 a bottle! Never fear, there is even a Beaujolais Nouveau Rose out there for those suffering from rose withdrawal symptoms during the holidays.

There are some wines that I taste throughout the year that I can’t get out of my head. This is one – the major one. I have had more expensive wines, vastly more expensive this year, but this one got me.

Having run a winery on the East Coast, I have seen, even today, the garbage that masquerades as wine under the trucked in from somewhere else American Appella tion. It simply means on a label that grapes cross borders and don’t come from one formally recognized place (Napa, Oregon, etc.). This gives the winemaker the ability to be really stupid or really brilliant.

In this case the Syrah/Merlot part from Southern Oregon (Rogue Valley) combined with the Washington State Cab ernet giving you the flavors of cherry pits meets saddle leather. It is brilliant in the

hands of Andre Hueston Mack winemaker. Mr. Mack is a black winemaker. Frankly, in our age of political correctness I am con stantly bombarded with press releases touting the “new emerging” winemaker of the week from various marginalized groups. At the end of 2022, in the immor tal words of Gore Vidal when referring to a San Francisco theatre group, “No, talent is not enough.” Either you got it baby, or you don’t. Mr. Mack clearly has it.

Thirsty Third Thursdays

Every Thirsty Third Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m., join Layne’s Wine Gig at Blue, 650 Congress Street, Portland. For $12.00 you get four three-ounce pours and a rol licking good time spent with Portland’s foremost wine storyteller. Layne is a guy who has seen it all, done it all, and is still having fun with it.

Layne is a Master Knight of the Vine with decades of experience under his belt including importing, teaching, writ ing, competition judging, and winery run ning.This event is informed, unpretentious, and fun. FMI check out PortCityBlue.com.

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, American Blend,

Layne and his wife Judy at the Chaval Cru Beaujolais dinner. Layne has been a pro fessional in the wine business for many decades and was awarded the Master Knight of the Vine for his pioneering work in Oregon. He can be reached at lvwitherell@gmail.com.

By Nancy Dorrans

As we enter the 2022 Holiday Season, we can always hope for peace on earth and goodwill towards men (and all living things).

Travel and Adventure is the name of this section, and the holidays are tradition ally ripe with each.Will you travel over the holidays? What are your traditions? What happens if you abandon them or if they are not possible now…? Moving on can lead to new adventures and traditions!

If you recall last Christmas, I went on a four-day cruise with my father, younger sister, and her family. This year my holidays are again going to be less traditional yet fueled with New England holiday cheer!

Local Holiday Alternatives!

I plan to be more present and give/ receive less presents. I’ll step away from traditional family gatherings. And even though I love my crazy family… there will be no sleigh ride or flight over the river and through the woods to Michigan and Tennessee to be with them. I’m sticking close to home. All around New England and especially the City of Portland, magi cal music, inspiring lights, decorations, and good cheer are coming into view.

Merrill Auditorium

Just last month I was accepted into the coveted community of ushers at the Merrill Auditorium. I may have already seated some of you. Did you go see Pep pa Pig and her friends camping adventure? Or hear the Portland Symphony play the music of Queen? So far, the shows have been spectacular. Imagine an audience of three- and four-year-olds giggling to the sound of Papa Pig snoring in his tent. Just delightful!

I’m sure the upcoming holiday shows at the Merrill: The Maine State Ballet Nut cracker and Victorian Nutcracker, the Portland Symphony’s Magic of Christmas, Christmas with Kennerley, and The Kot zschmar Organ will be just as spectac ular. I’m planning to usher for many and be filled and refueled with local holiday cheer! Look for me. I’ll be the red head, wearing black and white!

Nativity Pageant at First Parish

On Sunday December 18th, I plan to witness the annual Nativity Pageant at First Parish Unitarian Universalist “Church for EveryBody” in Portland. This

gem of a pageant has been in production since 1926. Members of First Parish work tirelessly to ready the volunteers, cast, and costumes to make this breathtaking scene come to life.

as a walking event with a new, re-imag ined design and more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens.”

“N

on-denominational in na ture, this historic Nativity Pageant makes no political or religious statement. Rather, it uses a combina tion of music, historic text, and tradi tion to honor the birth of one of histo ry’s great prophets… The story of the Nativity is told in music and readings while the cast creates a tableau that replicates a Fra Angelico-style paint ing. Some of the costumes have been created from fabrics brought back from the Holy Lands by nieces of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Light bulbs in the 30 sconces are replaced by candles. It is a truly magical hour in which we stop, quiet our hearts, and remember the spirit that this holiday represents.”

-https://firstparishportland.org

Victorian Mansion

Christmas at the Victorian Mansion is underway and ends on January 8th. “Tours at Christmas are self-guided, with docents throughout the house available to share the unique history of the Mansion (https:// victoriamansion.org/your-visit).

Light Shows

Grab some friends and take an eve ning walk around Portland to see all of Pandora’s lights glow from Bramhall Square throughout the Peninsula. Or head north to the Gardens Aglow at the Coast al Maine Botanical Gardens. “This year, the seasonal celebration returns to its roots

And don’t forget, there are the Northern Lights at LL Bean, too!

Looking ahead to 2023...

Adventure Marketplace is waking up and coming out of hibernation like a hungry bear! I organized a sold-out hol iday bus tour to see the Rockettes and more of New York City all dolled up for the holidays from December 2nd through 4th. And we’re going back to Quebec City for Winter Carnival the weekend of Feb ruary 3rd to 5th. Limited space is available. We always have the best time!

In the works:

• Patagonia small group active adven ture late March/early April

• Bus tour to Cape Cod/ Nantucket Daffodil Festival April 28-30th

• A reschedule of a small group hiking/ wine tour in Catalonia region of Spain in May/June

• Women, Walking & Wine small group to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy October 20th to Nov 1st.

Stay tuned to www.adventure-mar ketplace.com for more details.

Enjoy your holidays this month. I wish you all the tidings of comfort and joy!

Nancy Dorrans is a professional travel expert and founded Adventure Mar ketplace in 2014.

Nancy Dorrans (right) at Gardens Aglow with Cathy Conroy and her brother Kevin (head usher at the Merrill) in 2018. -Photo courtesy of Nancy Dorrans

“Planet” Trivia

1. What's the name of the British naturalist, filmmaker, and narrator behind the "Planet Earth" series?

2. Jupiter and Saturn are the two examples in our solar system of what type of planet, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium?

3. The first script for the original Planet of the Apes was written by what veteran TV writer who created and presented The Twilight Zone?

4. The circumstellar habitable zone is the area around a star where a planet could support liquid water, often called by what alternative name based on a fairy tale?

Mondays at Foulmouthed Brewing and Lazzari

Tuesdays at Ri Ra and Brookside F+D

Wednesdays at Wilson County BBQ Thursdays at Arcadia and Locally Sauced online @bestworsttrivia

Find the answers online at thewestendnews.com/puzzle-solutions!

Find the solution to Sudoku on Pg. 17.

River of the Gods

Review by Stephanie Miller

In the early 19th Century, European powers were sending off waves of explor ers to map the unknown corners of the world. Celebrated historian Candice Mil lard’s “River of the Gods: Genius, Cour age, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile,” is a fast-paced epic of wits, stamina, and raw courage. This is the true back story of how Henry Morgan Stanley came to remark, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

Decades before that pithy exchange, experienced and charismatic Richard Burton invites John Hanning Speke to join him on an expedition to find the source of the Nile for the Royal Geographical So ciety of England. Burton spoke 29 languag es, translated ancient poems, and was a decorated soldier. He was convinced that the source was a large, inland lake, despite lack of proof. Speke was a young socialite, a devotee of white European supremacy, and eager to make his mark. They were complete opposites in temperament and beliefs.

Their relationship was both codepen dent and fractious. They suffered incredi ble hardships together, including an attack by local tribes where Speke was stabbed dozens of times and Burton shot and beaten. When infected by cholera and in testinal diseases, they gently nursed each other back to health. It was brutal: Speke actually loses some hearing after trying to dig out a beetle stuck in his ear canal.

Two years into the journey, running out of money and having lost most of their men to defection and theft, disease, and starvation, Burton is too sick to press on. Speke grabs the chance to lead on his own, arriving at what he later christened

Lake Victoria. But with insufficient knowl edge, leadership skills, or equipment, he is unable to find the river access.

Returning to England, Speke rushes ahead to the Society and takes credit for the discovery, usurping Burton and shift ing their personal dislike into the public arena. Two years later, Speke is funded by the Society to return and prove his claims. He was right, but he again fails to find the source. Today, he is essentially lost to his tory.

Despite their venomous feud, it’s clear that neither could have done it with out the other. And in fact, neither actually did do it, although they made it possible for Livingstone to get close, and for Stan ley to find him four years later.

There was a third man on all the trips, African Sidi Mubarak Bombay, a former child slave turned guide, whose strength, resourcefulness, and linguistic talents were essential to survival. Speke and Bom bay stood together in front of the thou sand-foot-wide roaring Victoria Waterfall. Twenty years later, Bombay joined Stanley to finally prove that Africa’s largest lake gives birth to the world’s longest river.

This is an astonishing true story of courage, single-minded purpose, and ego born of colonial arrogance. It focuses on the explorers’ character as much as their accomplishment. Under Millard’s skillful pen, it’s a wonderful history that reads like a novel.

Bayside resident Stephanie Miller is a voracious reader and bibliophile and spends a lot of time lost in the stacks of bookstores and libraries. Find her online @StephanieSAM.

Self-Compassion During the Holidays

By Tony Zeli

Even if you don’t celebrate, the dark days of winter and holiday brouhaha can cause anxiety and stress. In fact, in north ern climates, seasonal affective disorder can affect as many as 10% of us. So, what can you do to combat the gloom and stress? I talked to a compassionate lead ership expert and fellow local publisher –and friend – Whitley Marshall.

Shortly after her crowning as Inter national Mrs. USA during New York Fash ion Week, Whitley Marshall sat down with me to share some self-compassion advice to help readers get through the holidays. Whitley is an artist, activist, and entrepre neur based in Portland, who focuses on the markers of true beauty: compassion, strength, diversity, and body positivity. She publishes ArtLoveLifestyle Magazine, the current edition of which is themed, Com passion is Beautiful.

Whitley recommends intentionally focusing on self-compassion to reduce your own level of stress. This is the crucial first step in holding compassion for oth ers and having the energy we need for the holidays.

“In pageantry… it’s not the dress es you choose to present on stage that make you win, it’s the energy that those garments make you feel that is project ed – that is what people in the audience and the judges can feel,” says Whitley. “So, beauty is really more of an energy of con fidence in my opinion that people can feel. So, set yourself up to be your most con fident self.”

What self-compassion during the holidays could look like:

• Set aside time for yourself each morning for goal setting.

• Increase mindfulness, meditation, or exercise practices to “chemically hack” your brain to promote happi ness and de-stress.

• Get outside in the sunshine.

• Go on a hike.

• Set aside time for those you want to spend time with or intentionally set aside time alone.

“Another way to lead with compas sion is to hold the value of compassion outwards. So that could look like chari

table giving – it always feels good to give to others – or volunteering for a soup kitchen, donating food, or inviting some one over for the holidays who may not have family.”

Most importantly, Whitley reminds us to quit the negative selftalk and “embrace your own authentic beauty. It is our differences that make us beautiful.”

To get into that mind set, intentionally wear things that make you feel like your most confident self.

-Whitley Marshall

Also, remember to spread compas sion to others.This begins with awareness.

“While we’re facing our own stresses, everybody else at that holiday party also has things going on,” Whitley reminds us.

Set yourself up for success. Start by supporting your own mental health and be willing to let people know that you care about their mental health. Listen with an open heart; be willing to open your own mind.

“Try to surround yourself with people who inspire you and lead with the values you hope to lead with. And intentionally lead by example yourself,” says Whitley.

And when someone at the holiday gathering gets you down, remember the holidays set you up to react out of stress. Pause and reflect before reacting.

“Reflective listening is the best ac tive practice I’ve found,” advises Whitley. “Make sure you know what the other per son is saying before reacting. Recognize that they come from a perspective with a root need and feeling associated with it… See it for the feeling and need behind it, and you may find a solution. Stepping back and reflecting can help with that…”

One last note from Whitley: Remem ber, especially around the holiday season, to intentionally look into different tradi tions across cultures and participate in new cultural events.

It’s all about having fun and expanding your own compassion. Happy Holidays!

Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Contact him at thewestendnews@gmail.com.

By Charles March

The midterm election results may allow positive, bilateral climate legislation even in the narrowly divided House. As of October 26th, nearly two-thirds of Amer icans wanted more governmental action to combat global warming.

First, the midterm results will not slow the Administration’s executive actions or the federal or state governments on im plementing approved projects. We need to press for speedier permitting. Secondly, federal legislation is not foreclosed.

The “Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021,” H.R. 2307, will like ly be re-introduced in the next Congress along with other bills. Because it propos es a fee at the source of extraction, not a complex tax structure, it has already seen approval from some in the indus try. Moreover, since carbon tariffs begin on imports to the EU and UK in 2023, on those countries without a comparable carbon fee, H.R. 2307 could get bilateral support! Massive lobbying will be needed here. The past seven-year delay already threatens the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 de gree Celsius. The UN’s IPCC report for the COP27 climate conference states that the difference between a 1.5 degree rise and a 2.0 rise in temperature threatens millions more people being exposed to record heat, loss of drinking water, loss of livelihoods and lives.

There is some good news. Green en ergy, a departure from fossil fuels, saves money! Worldwide investment in green energy surpassed that in fossil fuels. And now, solar-panel production capacity ex ists to produce needed energy to limit warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. But a faster decarbonization effort is critical for the planet and could add trillions of dollars to the world economy by 2050.

The historic “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (IRA), gives us that climate and economic action plan. It warrants a clear summarization for the public. The legisla tion commits $370 billion to low-carbon technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, nuclear power plants, hydrogen fuels, electric vehicles, and electric heat pumps. Proper implementation could cut US emissions by 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Environmental activist Bill McKibben, speaking post-election on The Ezra Klein Show, noted that our collective mobili zation is needed to implement the IRA. We must pressure both federal and state governments to speed up the building and permitting of clean energy projects. The future is in our hands.

Charles March is a lawyer advocating for injured workers and a Citizens Cli mate Lobby volunteer.

We’re All in this Together is a monthly column provided by Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

A Time to Band Together

Given the enormous challenges we face, how do we respond? Will we get a fu ture that is beautiful and just? The answer to that question is largely up to our ability to band together as communities.

Extreme weather events, like the brutal heatwaves that devastated many people in 2022, highlight the urgent need for shared resilience. During the pandemic, mutual aid groups sprang up to form support networks to help everyone.

Community Resilience

Community resilience is an example of a community’s ability to use available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations. Initiatives may be as simple as local WhatsApp groups created to check on elderly and vulnera ble members of the community at critical times. Setting up spaces as cooling centers during intense heat or warming centers in cold months are another example. The latter may be particularly important this winter if high fuel prices push millions into energy poverty.

In the future, we’ll increasingly need to depend on each other. Getting to know our neighbors will be a high priority. Having someone you can speak with candidly and seriously is always useful. And it’s always good to have someone you can trade favors with or share ideas about food or gardening. Friends you can depend on could make all the difference in the challenging times ahead.

Public Luxuries

Community resilience can also en courage demand for “public luxuries,” those parts of the public realm that make things better for everyone. Parks, librar ies, and playgrounds are good examples. In the face of more frequent and severe heat waves, public swimming areas and spray parks may become public luxuries.

Livable Streets

As we adjust to climate change, we need to find innovative transitions that cre ate win-wins. Livable streets, for example, where space is taken away from cars and given over to cooling trees, will cut emissions and pollution. As communities feel the benefits of such changes, they often don’t want to return to how things were when cars took precedence in urban areas.

Improved trash management is another win-win for everyone that promotes working with others who are committed to cleaning up and beautifying the neigh borhood.

Take the lead. Start by speaking to a few neighbors about these and other possibilities.

We are living through a time of extraordinary change.

CREDITS

Rapid Transition Alliance Newsletter (8/23/2022)

Bright Ideas is brought to you by Portland Climate Action Team which, during the pandemic, meets online the fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in. FMI: portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.

-WEN file photo

THE DUMPSTER

WHERE WE LOVINGLY TOSS ALL THE STUFF THAT DIDN’T FIT…

Gov. Mills celebrates her election victory with breakfast at Becky’s Diner… Speaking of breakfast, Lone Pine Brewing and Allen’s Coffee release a seasonal collab called Allen’s Coffee Breakfast Stout… Also in brewing news, Anchor Christmas Ale is named by Hop Culture as the Most Iconic Christmas Beer of All Time… In other business news, locally crafted strategy card game PBL Robots will crown a state champion at a January 14-15th tournament in Ban gor… Print: A Bookstore celebrates its 6th Anniversary selling books from the East End… UPS is hiring around 460 sea sonal employees in Maine… City Arborist Jeff Tarling receives the Portland Rotary Club’s highest honor the Paul Harris Fellowship… Tarling is the guy who selected a 40’ Balsam Fir from a Westbrook property for the 2022 City of Portland Holiday Tree… In other Maine news, the Bar Harbor Chamber supports lo cal fishermen and fisherwomen with a holiday tree made of buoys purchased and decorated by the community… University of Maine unveils the BioHome3D which is the world’s first 3D printed home York lands at #15 on the annual list of 50 Best Places to Travel which highlights emerging destina tions and hidden gems… And the Kennebunkport Christmas Pre lude is named the 6th Best Winter Holiday Destination

Happiness

Happiness is for one and all It’s as easy as one, two, three It’s a present you give to yourself To be as happy as you can be

To make your problems easier Just come up with a plan You’ll be happy just knowing You’re doing the best you can

When problems get the best of you Just shove them all aside Jump right on the world of life There’s magic in this ride

Welcome Sign

Life is what we make it I believe that age-old line Dwelling on your problems Is just a waste of time

Dress up in your favorite smile Put on a happy face A belly full of laughter Makes this world a better place Take time to shake a hand And share a grin once more It’s time to hang that welcome sign Right outside your door

-Poems by Elaine Carver, West End

The WEN Poetry Corner publishes reader poetry when space permits. Please send to: thewestendnews@gmail.com Or write to: West End News, 795 Congress St., Portland, ME 04102

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