The West End News - February Edition 2023 - Vol. 23 No. 02

Statement from City Leaders on Murder of Tyre Nichols

Below is a statement from Portland Mayor Kate Snyder, Interim City Manager Danielle West, and Interim Police Chief Heath Gorham in response to the murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee.

“The recent arrest of fve Memphis Police offcers for the murder of Tyre Nichols and the release of video of this incident is the latest in a series of highly publicized police/citizen encounters over the past few years.

“The City of Por tland knows that tragedies such as these damage the public’s trust in local government’s integrity, transparency, and commitment to protecting the safety and constitutional rights of every person we encounter.

“We would like to reiterate the City’s unwavering and continued commitment to building trust, confdence, and partnership with our community. We are truly honored and privileged to work with the dedicated members of the Portland Police Department and our entire community as we carry out this important work.

“The actions of the former Memphis police offcers are not in keeping with the values of the Portland Police Department and American law enforcement as a whole. Portland Police remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our community.”

Maine Irish Heritage Center Gets $3 Million to Restore St. Dominic’s

By Tony Zeli

The Maine Irish Heritage Center (MIHC) will receive $3 million dollars in federal spending to restore their home, the historic St. Dominic’s Church at 33 Gray Street in Portland.

“The original workmanship that created the building was of the highest quality. The building has weathered nearly 130 years in a cold climate and is still in relatively good shape,” said Bob Kearney, MIHC’s Board Chair. “However, it will not last another century in its current condition without signifcant restoration.”

Built in 1833, the historic building needs exterior work done to seal leaks that are causing interior damage. The project will include repointing the building façade and a full restoration and weatherization of the slate roof and copper fashing.

“The Maine Irish Heritage Center is a historic, architectural gem of the Portland landscape and hub of cultural happenings for the Irish community in Maine. A 200-year-old structure such as this requires an enormous amount of resources for upkeep,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who with the support of Senators Collins and King, secured the funding. “These renovations will not only allow the Center to continue serving a diverse and lively community in Portland but will serve as a symbol of our appreciation for the important role Irish immigrants played in Portland’s history.”

The Maine Irish Heritage Center has taken on four major exterior restorations in the past: a complete restoration of the iconic bell tower, refurbishing of the grand entry facade and its rose window, the

Rev. Ben Shambaugh Leaves St. Luke’s

repair of the cupola, and restoration of twenty-two stained-glass windows in the upper sanctuary.

“Our historic building is instantly identifable as a key feature of Portland’s skyline and for well over a century, it has been a beacon welcoming immigrants and inviting diverse communities to share their cultural experiences,” continued Kearney. “We are most thankful for the support of Congresswoman Pingree and Senators Collins and King in helping us to further our mission and restore this architectural gem to its original grandeur.”

The Very Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh, Dean of St. Luke’s Cathedral fnished eighteen years of service to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, the City of Portland, and the state, and Episcopal Diocese of Maine at a service on January 29th. Rev. Shambaugh will take three months of transition time and begin a new position as rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton, New York on May 1st.

Dean Shambaugh has been an activist for marriage equality and LGBTQ rights, a leader in caring for the poor, immigrants, asylum seekers and those in need, a fghter for justice, and a passionate supporter of music and the arts on local, state, and national levels. He served on the board of Preble Street for ffteen years and helped greatly expand the work of Preble Street, St. Luke’s food pantry and St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center. He was known for washing the feet of the homeless at the Preble

Pages 12

Historic former church and home of the Maine Irish Heritage Center at 33 Gray St., Portland. Below is an interior view of the rose window. -WEN fle photos by Tony Zeli

Michelle Anderson: Inspire Maine Kids with Junior Achievement

Susana Hancock: Pushing Global Leaders on the Climate Crisis

Women, Wine & Walking in Portugal with Nancy Dorrans

Rev. Shambaugh discusses the renovation of St. Luke's rose window in 2014.

-Photo by Tony Zeli

BIG FOR HUNGER JAM W/ OTEIL BURBRIDGE, CYRIL NEVILLE, TOM CONSTANTEN + GREG MARTEN’S 60TH

Street Resource Center, giving “ashes to go” at Monument Square, marching down Congress Street with rainbow colors and a clergy collar in the Pride Parade, speaking at rallies and other events, participating in multi-faith thanksgiving services and other gatherings, offering comforting words in French to New Mainers, and playing Christmas carols on his tuba outside St. Luke’s Cathedral during the State Street Stroll.

A tuba player for the Maine Pops, Chandler’s Band, and the Italian Heritage Band, he performed in parks, nursing homes, and other venues around the state, including the Fryeburg Fair, the Yarmouth Clam Festival, Porchfest, and the Maine bi-centennial parade. He helped St. Luke’s continue its role as a center for music and the arts, hosting Renaissance Voices, the Portland Rossini Club, The Bach Virtuosi, St. Mary’s Schola, two Shakespeare companies, the Kotchzmar Christmas, First Friday art walks, and many other groups and events.

During his time at St. Luke’s Cathedral, Dean Shambaugh presided at hundreds of baptisms, weddings and funerals, oversaw a great increase in St. Luke’s outreach efforts in Portland and the building of a school in Haiti. He helped St. Luke’s lead a $1.5 Million Capital Campaign which allowed major repairs to the cathedral building as well as the creation of a columbarium, labyrinth, and professional level kitchen.

LETTER: Volunteering with Independent Seniors Network is Win-Win

I retired from paid work ten years ago, but I didn’t stop working. Blessed with good health and a supportive husband, I’ve connected to an organization run by great folks that has brought new friends and worthy activities into my life. Formerly Portland Area Villages, Independent Seniors Network serves many folks who are unable to complete various tasks. I’ve met wonderful people in my West End neighborhood and throughout the Portland area by driving members who need rides to appointments and shopping. Other volunteers help with other household tasks that allow them to stay in their homes, or for a visit and friendly chat, etc.

Relationships matter: as I age and read about how to stay healthy in mind, body, spirit, the research all points to connecting with others. I also grew up with a loud parental mantra: “Make the world a better place.” I give a couple hours, several times a month, driving folks, getting to know each other. It’s a total win-win.

We never know what a few hours of service means to another. I happen to think that those hours feed not only me and the other, but somehow, they feed a greater good. It’s also an investment: I’m only a short while away from wanting this kind of help for myself. Check it out, engage, join a vibrant group!

-Sara Archbald, Volunteer

We are always looking for volunteers: https://www.independentseniorsnetwork.org or contact 207-370–1896, info@independentseniorsnetwork.org.

Thank you for contributions from PelotonLabs

belong solely to the authors and not necessarily to the publication.

DIMENSIONS IN JAZZ

E S

Step into another dimension and experience the best contemporary jazz in Maine

FEB 3: Mrubata & Wittner Duo

McCoy

FEB 24: Steve Grover Memorial Concert

MAR 11: Dharma Down

MAR 25: Mike Sarin Quintet

Free Jazz Workshop - 4pm

To

presented by the

Ann’s Celtic-Irish heritage and intimate knowledge of her homeland’s pre-dawn history, mythology, literature, art and wildlife provides a rare glimpse into the heart and culture of the Irish people. Ann’s ever-present guidance is warm, engaging and spirited.

Leave USA April 23, on an overnight fight to Shannon Airport. Group limited to 12.

Mrubata, Saxophone; Gary Wittner, Guitar

Duncan Hardy, Sax; Chris Claxton, Trumpet; Peter Herman, Guitar RJ Miller, Drums; Scott Kiefner, Bass

John Meppam, Drums; Mike Effenberger, Piano Duncan Hardy, Sax; Scott Kieffner, Bass

Michael Sarin, Drums; Brad Shepik, Guitar; Priya Carlberg, Vocal; Jerome Harris, Bass & Vocals; Caleb Wheeler Curtis, Sax

Portland Releases Community Health Improvement Plan

The City of Portland’s Public Health Division released the Portland Community Health Improvement Plan. CHIP is a three-year collaborative plan to promote health in Portland. The plan guides the activities of the public health infrastructure to address issues facing our community.

Health assessments examine the overall health of a community and identify key health issues facing residents. In Portland, the following health topics were prioritized: behavioral health; nutrition, physical activity, and weight; and safe and accessible housing.

The defnition of health now includes the quality of the community in which we live, work, and play. People still need to go to the doctor, eat healthily, and exercise; but the City advises they also take into consideration the physical environment and social and economic factors that infuence health. In recognition of this, CHIP aims to ensure health needs are addressed in an equitable way, with particular attention to the most vulnerable populations, such as the poor, uninsured, unhoused, and disempowered people and communities.

The 2022-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan is a living document. As such, adjustments to the CHIP will be made throughout implementation to maximize its impact.

To learn more: www.portlandmaine. gov/PublicHealth. Email: Hayley Prevatt at hprevatt@portlandmaine.gov.

City Expands Immunization Program

The City of Portland’s Public Health Division is growing its Immunization Program. The clinic at 39 Forest Avenue is now offering these expanded vaccination services:

• Outbreak Vaccines for all adults, regardless of insurance status, including Pfzer Covid boosters, Hepatitis A, and Mpox vaccine.

• Childhood Vaccines for children, regardless of insurance status, including most vaccines required for entry into school.

• Adult Vaccines for the uninsured, including shingles, HPV, Meningococcal, Infuenza, MMR, and Tdap.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To book an appointment, call (207) 8748446.

All vaccines are no-cost to both adults and children. Vaccine supply fuctuates depending on demand, so please email for stock updates.

When calling, please be prepared with the following information:

• Full name

• Date of birth,

• Contact phone number

• Previous vaccine record (if there is one).

For more information, email vaccines@portlandmaine.gov.

MISSED IT!

Unusual national celebrations in 2023 that you don't want to miss…

By Rosanne Graef

After failing to get cards sent before Christmas, I opted to dub them “New Year’s Greetings” instead. Somehow that didn’t work out so well either as my cards didn’t hit the post offce until around January 9th.

There was absolutely no excuse for this negligence. I had stamps, my list of recipients, a working pen, and plenty of cards and return address labels sent to me by various 501(c)3 organizations as free gifts (is there any other kind?). What went wrong? I have no clue. But when I got a query from away questioning whether they’d somehow missed my obituary, I knew I needed to get organized and ready to recognize 2023’s celebrations in a timely manner.

Serendipitously I got off to a great start at the dentist’s offce.The calendar at the check-out desk noted that the following day, January 21st, was Squirrel Appreciation Day. When I asked how she planned to celebrate, the receptionist responded, “I don’t know. Just give a squirrel a big hug, I guess.”

On the way home, the impending Squirrel Appreciation Day was announced on the radio. Two reminders within twenty minutes! I had to act fast and ensure

BOOK SHORT Underground Railroad: A Novel of America

By Stephanie Miller

that the bird feeders and water dish were flled and ready for the following morning, so our squirrels would know how much we appreciate them.

Preparations for February 17th’s National Cabbage Day will be a snap. Having a constant supply of Brussels sprouts in the fridge was already a 2023 resolution for us.

The arrival of spring means National Pencil Day on March 30th, followed closely by National Rubber Eraser Day on April 15th. Hmmm, any coincidence that’s also Income Tax Day?

May 11th brings National Twilight Zone Day, which I intend to recognize by rewatching the thirty-six episodes of Season 1 that I found at Goodwill. It’s too bad all the commercials were cut, 1959 probably had some good ones.

Say Something Nice Day arrives on June 1st. I hope everyone in the USA celebrates this year, we could certainly use full participation. If you choose not to, then don’t say anything at all

In the 1800s, the paper bag was invented and improved upon by several people. One patent was issued on July 12th, 1859, to William Goodale, and July 12th is now Paper Bag Day. Remember when grocery stores had pre-printed paper bags in September for covering school books? A lost skill ready to be reborn.

The Perseid meteor shower is marked by Global Sleep Under the Stars Night on August 8th. Could be a good chance to watch while lying on a mat made from paper bags!

September 24th is National Punctuation Day… ‘Nuf said!!!

The run up to Halloween gives us National Witch Hazel Day on October 21st. Not sure what this plant has to do with witches, but its yellow fowers are lovely in late fall and winter.

Before the post-Thanksgiving madness of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and #Giving Tuesday, may you have a restful National Button Day on November 16th.

Then we come around again to my new send-by date of December 9th, National Christmas Card Day. Phew! What a year lies ahead...

Rosanne Graef lives in the West End and is a regular volunteer contributor.

A dose of courage and forbearance are needed to engage and learn from New York Times bestselling author Colson Whitehead’s “Underground Railroad” (2016) for which he won the Pulitzer.

The book is beautifully written: transporting landscape, intensely drawn and complex characters, and a compelling storyline. It’s also sobering. Whitehead weaves stories about the treatment of slaves around a real railroad, a network of tunnels and trains running deep in the earth. Ridgeway, a particularly tenacious slave catcher, makes clear the metaphor: “Most people think it’s a fgure of speech, the underground. I always knew better. The secret beneath us, the entire time.”

The central character Cora, a third-generation slave who is a passenger on the railroad, marvels at the tunnels. She wonders, “Who are you after you fnish something this magnifcent—in constructing it you have also journeyed through it, to the other side. On one end there was who you were before you went underground, and on the other end a new person steps out into the light.” So too is the reader transformed—you cannot fnish this book without questioning your own role in racism in America today.

It’s not comfortable to read about burning people alive as luncheon entertainment; about shackling fellow humans to stakes in the ground, watching for sport while dogs tear them apart; about repeated rape; about selling mothers away from children—nay, about selling humans!—

about whipping and chaining and starving people and — perhaps worst of all — justifying this as right and proper behavior to a “lesser” race.

All that horror and hopelessness is in “Underground Railroad”. Most of the characters, white and black, die in terrifying torture. Being active in slavery—willingly or unwillingly, for it or against it—is a dangerous business.

The train rides are lonely and scary. At her frst stop, Cora is lulled into believing that Blacks will have a chance to live peacefully and freely alongside whites. Then she learns of schemes to experiment with new medical treatments to sterilize thousands to “correct” the population gap. There are too many Blacks for the whites to sleep easily.

Each station brings new hopes, but also fresh disappointments and diabolical cruelties. Cora hardens herself to the fact that “her skin is black, and this is how the world treats Black people.”

A Black preacher aims for hope. “America too, is a delusion, the grandest one of all. The white race believes—believes with all its heart—that it is their right to take the land. To kill Indians. Make war. Enslave their brothers. This notion shouldn’t exist, if there is any justice in the world, for its foundations are murder, theft, and cruelty. Yet here we are.”

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

Michelle Anderson: Every adult has career and life experience to inspire Maine kids

Every month PelotonLabs co-founder Liz Trice interviews a local community member. This month, Liz caught up with Michelle Anderson, the President and CEO of Junior Achievement, which works with students in classrooms K-12 to inspire and prepare students for career and fnancial success.

What is Junior Achievement’s current presence in Maine?

We partner with 150 schools across the state, impacting 12,000 students each year. We work with the schools to identify and fll holes in career awareness, workforce readiness, fnancial literacy, and entrepreneurship education and bring volunteer mentors as role models to bring the real world into classrooms. All our mentors are volunteers who share their own real-world experiences with kids. The teacher stays in the room the whole time and is ready to assist and help the kids make the connection between what they’re doing in school. It’s all experiential and hands on activities, and helping kids translate their skills and interests to careers.

Why is giving kids exposure to different careers necessary?

Kids are our workforce of the future. Early exposure to different job opportunities and career paths helps kids dream big and forge their path to the future. If they don’t see relevance to what they’re learning in school, they’re not engaged. We help kids think about what their interests and skills are now and how that might translate to a fulflling job in the future.

Maine is made up of so many entrepreneurs and small business owners, but if kids don’t see that, they might not know that’s an option for them. And same with other careers. Our programs align well with the state’s learning standards, and addresses issues of economic mobility. It’s really helpful for kids to see role models of working adults from all different backgrounds representing all different industries, especially if they don’t have working parents.

I heard ffty percent of kids touched by JA start a business. That’s amazing!

Yes, JA’s impact on kids is huge. We found that over 50% of JA alumni have worked in the same feld as the mentor who came into their classroom. Eighty-

one percent of JA Alumni say JA played an important role in their career path, 51% have started or owned a business, 88% say JA exposed them to new ways of thinking. Students report having higher career satisfaction and are more confdent managing their fnances.

We receive feedback from educators that, post-Covid, students had lower student engagement and aspirations. So, they’re looking to Junior Achievement to help ignite a spark. Students get to meet mentors, ask questions about their experiences, and see opportunities.

Tell me a success story. Who is a famous JA Alum?

We have a lot of Junior Achievement alum that come back as volunteers - 50% nationally. I think this speaks to the longterm impact JA experiences have on students. We have lots of wonderful stories. One that comes to mind is two men who participated in our JA Titan Challenge when they were in high school - an immersive simulation experience that puts high school students in the CEO seat to run a business and make real time decisions on price, production, hiring. It was so impactful on these men as students that it sparked them to want to get into business, and now one comes back as a volunteer.

On a national level Mark Cuban of Shark Tank is a JA alum and credits his early interest and success to Junior Achievement.

You say any adult can be a mentor. Is that true?

Anyone can be a JA mentor. You just need a willingness to work with kids, and we do the rest. There’s so much fexibility. It could be as little as one hour commitment during the school day. Or up to a once-a-week commitment for several hours over several weeks. We don’t charge school partners, so we rely heavily on the fnancial and volunteer resources of the business community to bring JA to life.

The mentors bring their willingness to share life experiences to kids. Everyone, no matter your background or work, has something to share. Junior Achievement provides an easy-to-follow curriculum, and you’re never left alone with kids - there’s always a teacher in the room.You can even shadow someone else mentoring until you’re comfortable doing it yourself.

How did you get into this?

I started as an unpaid intern over 12 years ago; I went to the University of Maine and wanted to work for an organization that helps kids. I have a child development, family relations, and commu-

nications degree. As soon as I got in the classroom with JA, I saw the link between workforce and education, and never left.

I love what this organization does to empower youth to have the skillset and mindset to live choice-flled lives and build thriving communities.

What do you wish every kid in Maine knew?

I wish every kid had mentors and role models in their community. No matter what career path anyone goes into, you need the soft skills and money management skills to be a successful adult… You graduate from high school and need to know how to navigate insurance, taxes, budgeting, and soft skills like collaboration, communication, continuous learning ... just knowing how to make eye contact and shake someone’s hand.

Learn More, Donate, or Volunteer: https://maine.ja.org.

Networking Event: Learn more about mentoring in February, visit https://maine.ja.org/events/index.

PelotonLabs is a coworking space in the West End of Portland with a mission to connect and encourage people working on their own to manifest their visions without fear.

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

Michelle Anderson, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Maine -Courtesy photo

Layne's Wine Gig Presents ASTONISHING WINES

By Layne V. Witherell

I suppose the word “serendipitous” is an apt description for the wines of this month. But if spellcheck wasn’t on for a title like that, it would require a frantic call to my editors Judy and Tony. Let’s leave it at “astonishing” and go from there...

CONG TU BOT

57 Washington Ave, Thu-Mon, 5-9p

This marks our third visit in as many years. Visit #1: We were crushed in the tiniest entryway and equally so at the bar. After all, they had just made it on to “The Most ADORABLE New Place in Portland” list. (Are you listening, Bar Futo?)

Visit #2:Takeout with four smallish tables outside – a la Covid – with one being inhabited by a photographer with way too much gear. He inquired if I wanted my picture taken. For what? Why, The New York Times, of course. I passed on that one. There is a bit too much of that in Portland.

Visit #3: Inside reservations with the same astonishing food, additional leg room, ample table room, and a wine list containing that rarity of rarities: some wonderful $30-ish bottles of wine. They are way cool in their “Bazzini Quality Nuts” wine chiller.

Pipeno Rogue Vines Bianco, Chile, $33.00 a bottle

This was a crisp, delightful, dry, bal-

anced white that went beautifully with their twice cooked eggplant and Chao Chay Congee (two orders, please).

The vineyard was a feld blend planted from 1930-1950 and is composed of 50% Semillon, 45% Chasselas, and 5% Moscatel. The Semillon has a delightful lanolin fnish, rounded off by the soothing neutrality of the Chasselas and added roundness of the Moscatel. Try a blind tasting fguring those grapes out. Future sommeliers take note: Don’t be too pretentious, there may be a “Bazzini Quality Nuts” can in your future.

ROMA CAFÉ

769 Congress St, 7 days a week, 5-9p

New Year’s Eve dinner. Chef Sid’s delicious fresh scallops for her and lobster ravioli for me. Savored and nicely accompanied with a bottle of...

Suavia Soave Classico, 2020, $50.00/bottle

A bit pricey for a Soave, but the favor combo of pear, almonds, and herbs that make up its complexity is special. The Garganega grape is quiet, not loud and boisterous, in a glass. This wine was way beyond expectations for traditional Soave. Always look for the word “Classico” as it is at the center of the region, and hence at its highest quality.

Portland market is open! 262 Commercial St, Portland Tues – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm Closed: Sunday-Monday

The sad news is that Suavia’s Winery website says they are permanently closed. There are better Soaves for more money and certainly lots at considerably less, but Suavia was a wonderful, serendipitous fnd.

As a proud resident of the West End, I enjoy getting our same table, waitperson, bartender, manager, and all the ambience that makes the place special and “local.”

CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY

Our friend’s house in SoPo

You must have lots of wine on the table and be surrounded by friends who are open-minded to play this uninhibited game. Best wine of the night was...

Cont'd on Pg. 11

9am - 4pm

Pipeno Rogue Vines Bianco enjoyed at Cong Tu Bot. It's a crisp, delightful, dry, balanced white that makes Layne's list of Astonishing Wines. -All photos courtesy of Layne & Judy Witherell

Chinon “Les Picasses” by Olga Riffault, 2016, $24.00 retail

This is Olga’s most rambunctious single old vine vineyard bottling (as fts the game).There aren’t enough cabernet franc bottlings around. Most tumble into multigrape blends and lose that ferce, fruity herbal, sweet spice with a side of leather that characterizes the uniqueness of cabernet franc and a well-grown Chinon like Olga’s. The Loire Valley in France is the home of many towns, each featuring their own unique set of grapes and favor delights.

CAUTION:

“Vielles Vignes” on a Wine Label

A cautionary word on buying “Vielles Vignes” or the words “old vines” on a wine label. There are remarkable wines from old vines. They make a difference as the roots penetrate deep into the ground and produce a far lower yield, and hence better-quality fruit. BUT there is no law regarding what constitutes an actual old vine vineyard. Don’t trust anyone but the respected wine producers themselves. It can appear on a retailer’s shelf, a wine list in a restaurant, or a sales rep’s hands. Only when it is real is it real. Perfect having this wine while playing Cards Against Humanity.

OHNO CAFÉ

87 Brackett St, Tue-Sat, 7a-2p

Co-owners Lori and Chris serve up some very tasty food for West Enders, but on select Thursday evenings they do brilliantly (dare I say, my most despised word) curated wine tastings. Four wines averaging around $25.00 a bottle retail presented intelligently and devoid of the usual rep winetasting clap trap. In other words, they aren’t run of the mill wines, nor are they overpriced and precious. They serve them up just like those “hangover sandwiches” with just enough meat and garnishjust right. These are “pop up” tastings via e-mail or their website.

Cour Cheverny “Vielles Vignes” Benoit Daridan, 2018, $24.00 retail

This wine is produced in a tiny hamlet of 1,750 souls in the ancient Touraine region of the Loire Valley in France. And it is obscure. Really obscure. The grape is Romarantin, and that’s it. Nothing else is planted in this 100acre region. Romarantin arrived here in 1519 courtesy of Francois 1st from places unknown. This is it. This is its only home. And yes, there is that “old vine” tension of favor. And 2018

is steely, viscous, bone dry, with “notes of sea breeze, chalk, stones,” and tasting of a fne Chablis or Macon or Pouilly Fuisse from Burgundy.

The real reason that I adore this wine is that there is a problem here. When checking the prices of various Burgundy producers, one encounters never seen sticker shock - and it will get much worse. The crops are small and worldwide thirst (though lust is an equally apt word) is growing. Value and astonishing: two words that should occasionally occur in the same sentence.

Chablis weighs in at $40.00 a bottle and single grower Macon can reach $40.00, with Pouilly Fuisse running $70.00 to $100.00 a bottle.These are good wines, not GREAT wines. I will take this terrifc Burgundy lookalike at one third to half the price anytime.

I take my hat off and thank Chris and Lori for the search, as well as the tiny distributor Hart & Harp Wines for opening their astonishing world so that we can gleefully drink up and enjoy.

E-mail OhNo Café to get on their list for their Thursday tastings. You won’t be disappointed.

LAYNE’S WINE GIG Every thirsty 3rd Thursday

You can catch Layne every third Thursday at Blue, 650 Congress Street, in Portland, Maine. Layne’s Wine Gig runs from 5 to 6 pm. This is an unpretentious wine tasting guided by a guy who has seen it all, done it all, and still has a rollicking good time!

Layne has been a professional 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.

Women, Walking & Wine in Portugal

By Nancy Dorrans

I met Artur Pegus at the Adventure Travel Trade Association “World Summit” in Tuscany in 2018. Artur is an ambitious Portuguese tour operator and founder of 09West. They offer adventurous out of the ordinary experiences throughout the entire country which is crossed by the 09W meridian.

I had been to Portugal in May of 2018 on a bike tour (highlighted in my article, “Pedaling Portugal’s Pathways”) and wanted to get back! Compared to other destinations, Portugal is the country with the best value and is home to the most wonderful people, scenery, trails, museums, food, wine, and weather!

I knew there was so much more of Portugal to explore and when I met with Artur we started scheming. I had the idea to offer active trips, specifcally for women that enjoyed hiking and wine. What we created was Adventure Marketplace’s frst Women, Walking and Wine Adventure that led us from Lisbon to Sintra, Evora, and towns in the south.

We were eleven active women ready to experience a new culture, enjoy delicious food, conversation, breathtaking scenery, and of course wine, all while hiking seven to nine miles a day!

Arriving in Lisbon, Portugal's capital, we had the afternoon to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets through the old neighborhoods. We climbed the hill to Castelo de São Jorge, the iconic castle with a panoramic view of the entire city.

One of the most charming capital cities of Europe, Lisbon has quickly become

my favorite. You can’t help but admire the elaborate tiled sidewalks and the delicious trademark pastries - Pasteis de Nata - with their faky crust and warm egg custard.

Our guide Paolo is a friend of Artur’s. He took time off from his job with the Navy to escort us. Paolo wasn’t the gregarious sort. He was quiet, kind, and always had our best interest and safety in mind. Our driver was the handsome Rui. Terri asked Rui to marry her one evening after a few too many tastes of wine!

After Lisbon, we headed out to hike the enchanted hills of Sintra. Along the rugged cliffs we took in the most breathtaking views all morning. Then after a delicious, packed lunch at Praia da Adraga beach, we continued on to Cape Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe.

During the next week, we covered a lot of ground and experiences. First, we painted tiles in Arrábida using traditional methods in the style of Hispano-Moorish tiles of the 16th century.

Paolo led us down to see fossilized dinosaur footprints located on the jagged cliffs of the Cabo Espichel coastline. We breathed in views from the Monsaraz Castle and gawked at the handsome sixth generation potter Rui Patalim at Olaria O Patalim, in Corval. To quote my friend Joyce, “We could have watched pottery making all day.”

That night we visited the Dark Sky Alqueva observatory to gaze at stars and planets and refect on the vastness of the universe.

Next up, a guided wine tasting tour and lunch at Quinta do Quetzal, located in the heart of the Alentejo region. Onward we traveled to explore Vicentine Coast Natural Park. This natural park is huge, well over 300 square miles, and is one of the last strongholds of the wild coastline of Europe.

At Burros & Artes we tried our hand at pottery making and walked with the donkeys through their sanctuary, a safe haven for old donkeys and the ones that had a diffcult start in life.Who knew there was such a thing?

Our fnal days were spent hiking from Vila do Bispo to Cabo-Verde Sao-Vicente

– once thought to be the end of the earth – to the towns of Lagoa and Benagill on the southern coast.

We were supposed to take a boat tour to the Benagill caves, but the sea was too rough. Instead, we walked the 570mile long Carvoeiro Boardwalk along a jagged coastline with rock formations and steps leading to a few small caves.

From Benagill we headed back to Lisbon to dress for our fnal emotional Fado dinner at Tasca do Faisca with Paolo and Artur. Fado is a genre of Portuguese music that is full of feelings of sadness and love. What an inspiringly delicious and delightful way to end our Portuguese adventure.

Obrigada, Portugal, you have my heart!

Adventure Marketplace is excited to re-start the Women, Walking, and Wine series. We’ll be heading to the Catalonia region of Spain in May. Please contact me if you’re interested in joining us!

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

Walking the wild coast of Portugal and enjoying a traditional Fado dinner. Below is Rui Patalim, the handsome potter, at Olaria O Patalim -Photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans

Paolo & Rui

Quenching an Inevitable Thirst

By Jennifer Ruggiero

Snowplows hunt for snow as people bustle around in t-shirts. Some rejoice at the mild temperatures, and most are thankful for lower heating bills. But a delayed cost will be paid as summer looms. It goes by the name drought

It’s easy to think water is plentiful. Every day we admire the vast stretch of ocean, play in Sebago Lake, and paddleboard on the Presumpscot. This illusion deepens as water districts provide seemingly endless supplies of water with a turn of the faucet. As wishes for better weather abound, it’s easy to forget reservoirs are recharged by the very weather held in such contempt: rain and snow.

“The potential for reemerging drought next year will heavily depend on whether more precipitation falls as rain or snow over the coming winter. More rain would require water managers to release during the winter season, while snow would stay in the mountains as natural storage with a slower release.” -https://www.maine.gov/mema/ hazards/drought-task-force

Lack of water causes systemic stress. So, what can we do to reduce the strain during droughts and for the long-term?

Reduce. Reduce use where possible. Don’t run water unnecessarily. Check out tips from Portland Water District (PWD): https://www.pwd.org/faqs/howdo-i-conserve-water.

Redistribute. Know the best times to use water and make sure every drop counts by fnding uses for leftover water, e.g., water bottles, dehumidifers. Get drought alerts from NOAA: https://www. drought.gov/states/Maine.

Reclaim. Capture clean water where possible from faucets heating up

or cooling down and use it to wash dishes, water plants, etc.

An example. Portland is supplied by Sebago Lake. Approximately 200,000 people collectively use 10 inches of its water per year. Let’s say it never recharged. It would take roughly 121 years to exhaust completely just from household use. In 2022, by adjusting habits and reclaiming clean water, I saved 840 gallons. This might seem small, but what if all PWD customers did the same? That’s 168,000,000 gallons saved! By the end of 121 years, it adds another approximately 2.4 years of water usage. Not insignifcant!

Prioritizing conservation when things are abundant is hard. Though, just like saving money for a rainy day, we need to save water for when snowy and rainy days become few and far between. Understanding how our behaviors impact shared resources and proactively managing our actions ensure sustainable use and a future. What action will you take to save water?

Bright Ideas is brought to readers by Portland Climate Action Team which meets the Third Tuesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in. FMI: por tlandclimateaction@gmail.com.

We’re All in This Together Pushing Global Leaders to Address the Climate Crisis

By Dr. Susana Hancock

Hallå from Sweden. I’m spending the winter riding the rails of Europe having been invited to help global leaders understand the global connectivity of the climate crisis. Despite more signed pieces of paper to the contrary, 2022 marked another year of record emissions. Our leaders’ repeated refusal to implement immediate (or frankly, any) change is creating a world that, within 50 years, will have three billion refugees.

Over the past year, I have attended ten global forums specifcally to tackle the climate crisis. Yet, at each, the topic was left to boil over on its familiar back burner. Why? Because December’s foods in southeastern Australia were the continent’s most costly global disaster. Because the summer drought and heatwaves that dried Germany’s Rhine stalled the global supply chain. Because Hurricane Ian had a total price tag of $100 billion. Because 7 million people were displaced by four months of fooding in Pakistan. Because 36 million people went through 2022 food insecure as another year of droughts dehydrated the Horn of Africa.

All but the last is counted among last year’s ten global environmental disasters that left an insurance bill exceeding $3 billion (a fnancial threshold that doubled over the 2021 list). Despite the connectivity of our planetary systems, we treat each as an independent catastro-

phe. Consequently, we fnd ourselves playing an urgent game of Whac k-A-Mole, while the global systems—and human actions— are saved for “another time.”

Yet, when is this other time? As we come into a year that promises even more climate disasters, we need to push through legislation on climate. Did you know that the frst two universally ratifed treaties in the history of the United Nations were environmental? The fact that we know the steps needed gives me hope. And the fact that we have done it before with proven results internationally gives me drive. Some legislation, such as carbon pricing, can even work in our favor as border adjustment taxes are beginning to be levied against us.

Do we want to see the next spate of global disasters and know they could have been prevented?

Dr. Susana Hancock is an internationally recognized climate activist and transdisciplinary polar scientist. When not traveling around the world [by train], she spends half the year in mid-coast Maine where she volunteers with Citizens’ Climate Lobby and has founded her own climate organization.

We’re All in this Together is provided by the Portland chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Photo by @redcharlie1 Unsplash

www.TheWestEndNews.com/Puzzle-Solutions

“European Capitals” Trivia

1. What Czech capital, on the Vltava river, used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia?

2. The novels Ulysses, Finnegan's Wake, and The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man all mostly take place in what city that has now been a capital for 100 years?

3. Criminologist Nils Bejerot coined what term for captives who sympathize with their captors after a 1973 robbery and hostage situation in a Northern European capital?

4. What Bulgarian capital takes its name from the Greek word for wisdom, the same root as the word "sophisticated"?

Mondays at Foulmouthed Brewing and Lazzari

Tuesdays at Ri Ra and Brookside F+D

Wednesdays at Wilson County BBQ

Thursdays at Arcadia, Locally Sauced, & Goodfire online @bestworsttrivia

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

DIVE INTO THE DUMPSTER!!!

MAINE’S RECEPTACLE FOR THE NEWS THAT DIDN’T FIT…

The West End’s favorite fried chicken chef Figgy starts doing standup comedy gigs in the area… Sixteen-year-old Xavier FreebairnLopes from Standish does a 30-mile Sebago Lake sled pull to support building a handicap-accessible ice fshing shelter for disabled veterans and frst responders… Print: A Bookstore partners with Foundation Brewing for their frst-ever Brewery Book Club where books are paired with beers and discussion every 2nd Thursday… In celebration of Valentine’s Day Lakin’s Gorges Cheese at East Forty Farm offers a Cannoli Kit complete with handmade cannoli shells made with Maine Grains four… On the move in Portland… Maine Law moves from the location it occupied since 1972 to a renovated offce building at 300 Fore Street… And it’s offcial that Mr. Tuna is moving to 83 Middle Street this summer… Little Woodfords coffee shop closes after over fve years of dishing out hot beverages and astrological drinks from Woodfords Corner… Tiny town of Dennysville in Washington County votes to not exist and begins the process to join much of the rest of their county as an unorganized territory Town of Alfred auctions off a 1995 Freightliner FL90 fre truck for $26,600 which went to the town’s treasury… From unnecessary lists… Portland is 2023’s 10th Best City to Find a Job due in part to a low unemployment and high vaccination rates… Finally these snow sculptures on the brick pillars along the Spring Street block of the Reiche playground brightened everyone’s snow day…

Sadness In Ukraine

My heart aches today And it’s just war and Sadness all day and Nobody knows it’s painful But me oh yes me And sadness in our eye’s As our little children cry All through the cold dark lonely Night and snow is falling tonight And a bitter chill in the air And the worst pain is yet to come And I want to cry tonight but I’m holding my baby so tight And there’s no longer any more Tears to roll down my sad Lonely old face and I’m in a horrible blown up Place and it’s just war and Destruction disaster and hate And I’ve sat and cried and I’m Holding my baby so tight as my Loved ones died tonight And Lord Jesus Christ I want to break Free and move on But sadness lives on And we are drowning in a River of blood and we Can’t catch our breath And a lonely tear rolls down My baby’s face We are already dead In this blown up sad lonely place.

-Submitted by David P. Carroll

SUBMISSIONS

Share your submissions with thewestendnews@gmail.com or send to: The West End News, 795 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04102.

Letters to the editor should be no more than 200 words. Include your name and town or neighborhood. We also accept poetry, cartoons, and photo submissions. Deadline for publication is the fourth Friday of every month. Publication is not guaranteed and submissions may be edited for length and content.

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Learn more about Xavier's project at https://gofund.me/6e7d2104

-Courtesy of Rosanne Graef

190 State Street, Portland

Across from Longfellow Square

Open Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm (207) 536-1354

Casita Corazon*

158 Benjamin W Pickett St, South Portland

Open Tues-Sat 11am-8pm (207) 808-8317

Tuesday - Thursday 3-6 pm

Taco Tuesday: All A-La-Carte Tacos....$3.00 ea. Burrito Thursday: All Burritos.....$10.95 ea.

“To