The West End News - March Edition 2023 - Vol. 23 No. 03

Shifting Gears: A History of Portland’s Bike Share

By Colin Monahan

The concept of a bike share is nothing novel to the City of Portland nor its bike advocates. Over the past decade Portland has seen a revolving door of competitive companies and nonprofts seeking to establish their system. Tandem Mobility, a private bike share operator from Grand Rapids, Michigan, fnally won a contract with the City in 2021. Their inaugural bikes hit Portland’s streets in August of 2022 and will return after a winter hiatus in April.

Tandem Mobility’s success with the City of Portland can partially be attributed to the trials and tribulations of its predecessors’ dedication to bike accessibility.

In 2013, the US Environmental Protection Agency selected Portland amongst forty-two other communities nationwide to receive the Building Block for Sustainable Communities technical assistance award. The EPA award sought to stimulate sustainable local economic growth through public health and environmental stewardship. The focal point was a feasibility study of how bike share might ft into a community like Portland.

This study found that Portland is exceptionally characteristic of a city ready to implement a bike share program with its growing network of mixed-use paths; nearly 12,000 students within 3.5 miles of the city center; existing policies supportive of bicycling (such as the Complete Streets policy); and a compact, dense, walkable urban environment. Yet, a 2014 study conducted by Journey to Work found that Portland residents seldom ride their bikes to work. The average Portland resident’s commute to work is 2.8 miles, but two-thirds of Portland’s commuters drive alone, while 3% take public transit and only 2% ride bikes.

The frst semblance of a bike share occurred that same year. It was a partner-

ship between Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) and Zagster, a Boston based venture-funded bike share. Ten ‘Breezer’ bikes were available at the Thompson’s Point Amtrak Downeaster station. Many riders complained of clunky gears and heavy bikes, especially biking uphill from Thompson’s Point. The program disbanded two seasons later.

In the years following the Zagster project, a homegrown local non-proft, Portland Bike Share, arrived. Portland Bike Share’s non-proft model sought to launch in 2018 with ffty bikes and four stations.

But in 2016, predominantly for-profit bike share models had been growing at an astounding rate across the nation. As of that year, the National Association of City Transportation Offcials (NACTO) reported a total of 48 million trips had been completed in ffty-fve cities on 42,000 bikes. In 2021, 47 million trips had been completed.

Portland Bike Share disbanded in 2019. Posting on their Facebook, they stated that “venture capital-backed private companies” offering “no cost” technology to cities had rendered their non-proft model untenable.

By 2021 there had been overwhelming support for a bike share in Portland. A survey conducted by the Portland Chamber of Commerce distributed in March of 2021 found 78% of respondent businesses strongly supported a bike share system. In addition, 71% would promote bike share use among their employees and 30% of businesses would consider sponsoring a bike station near their storefronts.

In 2019, the year Portland Bike Share dissolved, the City of Portland released two RFP’s for separate bike share companies for a 2019 and 2020 launch, respectively. One of the two companies was JUMP by Uber. The two RFP’s offered never came to fruition. However, a third RFP

was offered in 2021 to Tandem Mobility.

“We selected them based on their upfront acknowledgement of the need for sponsorships and a long-term need for fnancial stability, as well as their approach in terms of engaging the community,” said Bruce Hyman, the City of Portland’s Transportation Program Manager. “Their approach is not to helicopter into a community and drop three hundred bikes. We were very particular about wanting to make sure that each bike trip needed to begin and end at a designated lock-to location. We did not want bikes strewn all over the place, blocking curb ramps and building entrances, which has happened in so many other communities,” said Hyman.

Many bike advocacy groups are pleased with the implementation of a bike share program.

“The more bikes you can have on the road, the safer it is for everybody using the road. If you go to places where there’s really good bike infrastructure, you see that the drivers are used to interacting with them and proactively thinking about sharing the road. Bringing more bikes into the mix drives infrastructure, good infrastructure drives more bikes,” said Jean Sideris executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

“As a year-round bike commuter, if it’s within a ffteen-minute driving radius of my house, I’m hopping on my bike without batting an eye”, said Landis Hackett, a West End resident and bike advocate. “A bike share is just one piece of making our city more bike friendly. It would be awesome to see a wider-spread and more consistent network of designated bike lanes around the city. The more connected and consistent the network can be, the more approachable a bike share will become to those on the fence about whether to bike or drive around town on any given sunny afternoon,” said Hackett.

Bike share program returns to Portland in April after years of stalled attempts to bring low-cost public bicycle infrastructure to the city.

-Photo of Congress Street docking station by Tony Zeli (Aug. 2022)

St. Patrick's Day celebrations and more in Community Events

Vinny O’Malley on St. Dominic’s & the West End's Irish community

Cont'd on Pg. 3

Nancy Dorrans shares travel tips to help you on your next adventure

Pages 10-11

Faux snowbirds seek great food and wine pairings in New Orleans

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Book Short.....................................................6

Bright Ideas...................................................13

Business & Community................................7

Crossword....................................................14

Events...........................................................4-5

La Vida Local...................................................6

Layne's Wine Gig ..................................10-11

News & Info ...................................................3

PelotonPosts..................................................7

Poems............................................................15

Sudoku...........................................................14

Travel..............................................................12

We're All in This Together ........................13

SUBMISSIONS

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

• Letters to the editor should be no more than 200 words. Include your name and town or neighborhood.

• Op-eds should be no more than 750 words and include a brief biography of 1-2 sentences.

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

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

The thoughts and opinions expressed in our pages belong solely to the authors and not necessarily to the publication.

Shifting Gears

Cont'd

Tandem Mobility is planning on operating two hundred pedal bikes and ffty electric assisted bikes across twenty-seven docking stations, all located on the peninsula. There have been conversations about expanding into South Portland and neighboring towns in the following years.

“We’re hopeful that this next season, which is April through November, will give us a better sense of the overall demand. We worked out a lot of the kinks in the system last year so we should be able to hit the ground running pretty smoothly when we launch in April,” said Hyman.

If you have any suggestions for improvements or potential bike station locations, you can contact Bruce Hyman at bhyman@portlandmaine.gov.

Bramhall Square bike share docking station. -Photo by Tony Zeli, 2022

Colin Monahan is a community organizer, server, and journalist. His previous work has focused on social movements from Chile to New Hampshire and Georgia.

Bus fares in and around Portland are currently half price

Southern Maine Transit Agencies Offer Discounts Effective from March 1 – September 30, 2023

Greater Portland METRO, Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOBTransit), and South Portland Bus Service are discounting bus fares on their transit system for their Fare Deal campaign that runs from March 1st through September 30th of this year. All bus fares will be half of their regular price during this promotion, including local and express service and full and reduced fares. The discounted fares are available to riders using either cash or the DiriGo Pass. Signs on buses will display these temporary discounted fares.

The transit agencies collaborating on the “Fare Deal” aim to inspire new and returning bus riders by offering this special temporary promotional fare.

“By reducing the cost of using public transportation, we are seeking to help transit users hit hard by infation, and encourage more people to discover the many benefts of travelling around southern Maine by bus,” said Greg Jordan, Greater Portland Metro Executive Director.

Beginning March 1st, riders using Greater Portland Metro, BSOOB Transit, and South Portland Bus Service, will automatically pay the discounted fare when using their DiriGo Pass mobile app or smartcard. In 2020, the three transit agencies launched a new DiriGo Pass fare system allowing riders to pay their bus fare using a mobile app or smartcard. For information (and translations) on how to register and use a DiriGo Pass, visit DiriGoPass.org.

“With stops at many of our area’s most popular destinations, the bus is a fantastic way for residents, employees, and visitors to travel. Now riders can

have their transportation needs met and experience what makes our communities special for half the cost,” said Donna Tippet, Director of the South Portland Bus Service. “We hope those inspired to try or return to the bus continue riding well into the future.”

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) the region’s transit agencies designated funding to help rebuild ridership, with a goal of achieving pre-pandemic ridership levels. Through a competitive selection process conducted by Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) several projects were selected to entice riders back to public transportation, including frequency and span of service improvements, transit signal priority, service expansions, and redesigns, among other proposals. In addition to these projects, a “fare sale” promotion was approved.

“With transportation costs often being one of the highest monthly household expenses, this promotion has the opportunity to provide great value for our communities. For those enrolled in the DiriGo fare program, fare capping will create additional savings,” said BSOOB Transit Executive Director, Chad Heid. “We’re excited to offer this program to existing riders, along with attracting new riders who are feeling pain at the gas pump.”

This discounted fare promotion is effective March 1st through September 30th. On October 1st, 2023, all fares will return to non-discounted rates.

For additional information about DiriGO Pass and the fare promotion, visit: DirgiGoPass.org.

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DIMENSIONS IN JAZZ

C O N C E R T S E R I E S

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

FEB 3: Mrubata & Wittner Duo

McCoy Mrubata, Saxophone; Gary Wittner, Guitar

FEB 24: Steve Grover Memorial Concert

Duncan Hardy, Sax; Chris Claxton, Trumpet; Peter Herman, Guitar

RJ Miller, Drums; Scott Kiefner, Bass

MAR 11: Dharma Down

John Meppam, Drums; Mike Effenberger, Piano

Duncan Hardy, Sax; Scott Kieffner, Bass

MAR 25: Mike Sarin Quintet

Free Jazz Workshop - 4pm

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

To learn more, visit portlandconservatoryofmusic.org/dimensions-in-jazz

DOORS AT 7:00 SHOW AT 7:30

$5 STUDENT | $15 SENIORS $20 ADV $25 DOOR

presented by the

COMMUNITY EVENTS MARCH 2023

Business Basics Workshop

Tues, Mar. 7 & Apr. 11 / 6 - 7:30 p.m. St. Luke’s Community Kitchen / Free

This workshop by New Ventures Maine covers the business plan, marketing, and cash planning. Designed for those in the planning or start-up phase of a new business, this class will focus on foodbased businesses and is open to the public. New Ventures Maine is a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta. The workshop is tuition-free and will be held at St. Luke’s Cathedral Community Kitchen, 143 Park Street, Portland, next on Tuesday, March 7th at 6 p.m. To sign up: Email Sarah Hutchins at sarahp@maine. edu or online at bit.ly/NVMEStartABusiness.

Intl. Women’s Day Event

Wed, Mar. 8 / 6 – 8 p.m. / Hannaford Hall, USM / Free

Partners for World Health and USM’s School of Nursing present “International Women’s Day: Women in Confict: From Situations to Solutions” at Hannaford Hall on Wednesday, March 8th, from 6 to 8 p.m. A panel of distinguished guests will be moderated by PWHs COO, Julie Forsyth. The panel includes Libby Hoffman, founder and president of Catalyst for Peace and the author of “Building Peace from the Inside Out: The Answer is There”; Parivash Rohani, RN, humanitarian, environmentalist, and advocate for religious freedom; and Zoe Sahloul, founder of The New England Arab American Organization.

St. Patrick’s Day Events w/ Maine Irish Heritage Center

St. Patrick’s Parade on Commercial Street

Sun, Mar. 12 / 12 p.m. / Center St. –Bell Buoy Park, Portland

On Sunday, March 12th, the Irish American Club of Maine is sponsoring the City of Portland’s St. Patrick’s Parade kicking off at Noon. The route is along Commercial Street in Portland, beginning at the intersection with Center Street and ending at Bell Buoy Park near the Casco Bay Ferry terminal. Following the parade there will be a reception and open house at the Maine Irish Heritage Center at 34 Gray Street in Portland.

West End St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Flag Raising & Reception

Fri, Mar. 17 / 8 a.m. / Maine Irish Heritage Center / Free

On Friday, March 17th at 8:00 am, the neighborhood parade through the traditional Irish neighborhood steps off at the Maine Irish Heritage Center at the corner of State and Gray Streets in Portland. Marchers and bagpipers will carry the Irish Tricolor to Harborview Park on York Street where it will be raised above the working waterfront to honor the Irish

ONE LONGFELLOW SQUARE LIVE MUSIC IN MARCH

KATIE MATZELL, CILLA BONNIE & SARA HALLIE

RICHARDSON

LISSA SCHNECKENBURGER

DEB TALAN (OF THE WEEPIES)

WARD HAYDEN & THE OUTLIERS W/ KING KYOTE

LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE

THE PORTLAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA

FÓDHLA & MIA BERTELLI W/ BENJAMIN FOSS:

ST. PADDY’S DAY CELEBRATION

EAST BAYSIDE ROOTS FAMILY REUNION

HOSTED BY JOE K. WALSH & MATT ARCARA

HAWKTAIL

ETHAN SETIAWAN (FEAT. DAROL ANGER)

W/ NOAH FISHMAN & FRIENDS

MARY FAHL (OF OCTOBER PROJECT)

KAKI KING’S EVERYBODY LOVES YOU (20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR)

SUSAN WERNER W/ CHELSEA BERRY VÄSEN JOHN

longshoremen and their families who lived and worked in that neighborhood for generations.

The local parade honors neighborhood activist and parade founder Eddie Murphy. Following the parade, the Center will be open until 10 a.m. for Irish tea and soda bread and guests will enjoy music by popular Portland singer and songwriter Joe Markley. There is no charge to attend, but donations are gratefully accepted.

So Much More…

These events cap off happenings throughout the State during the month of March. The Maine Irish Heritage Center (MIHC) is also coordinating Irish fag raisings and the lighting of municipal buildings and businesses green from Biddeford to Allagash and multiple points in between. For more information about these events and other happenings related to Maine’s Irish culture, follow MIHC on Facebook or Instagram.

View a complete list of all MIHC upcoming events at: www.maineirish.com.

Traditional Irish Music Concert: A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Fri, Mar. 17 / 8 pm (doors at 7 p.m.) / One Longfellow Square / $15-20

Traditional Irish music group Fódhla, along with Mia Bertelli with Benjamin Foss, are pleased to announce they’ll be joining forces to ring in Saint Patrick’s Day with a co-bill concert in Portland.

One Longfellow Square will be hosting both groups in a spectacular night of music of the season. Fiddles, fute, guitars, whistles, bouzouki, and voice will keep your toes tapping through rollicking jigs and reels, timeless ballads, and buoyant sing-alongs.

One Longfellow Square is located at 181 State Street in Portland. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time for $15 at the venue (2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Tues. - Fri.), or online anytime at https://www.onelongfellowsquare.com, or at the door day-of for $20.

MUSIC + EVENTS

WINTER IN BITS & PIECES

By Rosanne Graef

February often brings a kind of restlessness as the days grow noticeably longer. And there’s nothing like a cold snap with a couple of subzero days followed by a record-breaking high a few days later to lead folks to start talking about getting out a swimsuit and heading for the beach. While the changing weather kept the conversation rolling with “Cold enough for ya?” and “I never thought I’d be wearing shorts outdoors in Maine in February,” some of my experiences over last month warrant comment.

Blues of ‘Groundhog Day’

Admittedly, it was post-February 2nd when friends invited us over to watch “Groundhog Day.” Predictably, in the thirty years since we’d last seen it, lots had been forgotten. One thing that really struck me this time was the prevalence of blue in the flm. From Andie MacDowell’s brilliant royal blue coat to the paler blue of the waitresses’ uniforms to the sea of denim-clad spectators at Punxatawney Phil’s big day, shades of blue ruled. Take a look for yourself to see if you agree.

Valentine Bandit

What a relief it was on Valentine’s Day to venture out and see those red hearts

A Fortnight in September

Review by Stephanie Miller

taped to windows on Danforth Street.Yes, Virginia, there is a Valentine Bandit!

A couple of days later, on my birthday, I received affrmation that after all these years I have successfully established my brand. Excepting the one with a goofly smiling Golden Retriever, every card I got featured cats and has been added to my collection.

50% Off Metro Fares

Now let’s take a look at making the most of March here in the West End. If you’re not a rider of Metro yet, now’s the time to start. From March 1st through September 30th there’s a Fare Deal Promotion of 50% off all fares on Greater Portland Metro, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Transit, and South Portland Bus Service, including local and express service and full and reduced fares. Use cash or the DiriGo Pass: https://dirigopass.org.

WENA Speakers Series

On March 9th, at 6:30 p.m., Dawn Brennan-Daly, Executive Manager of St. Luke’s Community Kitchen will be at the West End Neighborhood Association (WENA) Speakers Series to talk about the opportunities available there for people considering starting a food-related business. Even if that’s not you, it’ll be interesting to learn about the possibilities of a farmers’ market, pop-up take-away, catering, meeting space, etc. This event will take place in the Reiche Community Room, accessible from Clark Street.

Spring Forward on March 12

Daylight Savings Time at last! Take a look at WENA’s Reiche Community Room Calendar on Page 4. Come out of hibernation and try some of the free activities on offer.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Defnitely don’t miss Maine Irish Heritage Center’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the West End’s old Irish neighborhood. Meet at St. Dom’s (at State & Gray Streets) at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17th for the parade to Harbor View Park for the Irish fag raising. Then stroll back to St. Dom’s for coffee, tea, and soda bread.

Make some good March memories for yourself!

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

Nothing really happens in this novel, “The Fortnight in September” by R.C. Sherriff. A family takes their annual twoweek holiday at the seashore. At the same time, everything happens. Everything human is covered in the character dialog, coming of age struggles, relationship tensions, and pure loving kindness.

It’s got the favor of a different age. That is not surprising as it was frst published in 1931 and has been republished as part of the extraordinary Persephone series, which celebrates forgotten writers of the early 20th Century.

The beauty of this book is that it’s written in the language of the people in it. They are earnest, hard-working, capable people who diligently plan these precious two weeks in order to suck every last bit of happiness and comfort from them, despite the strain on their budget. Everything they do - bathe, walk on the promenade, listen to music, visit the arcade, pop into the local pub, sit comfortably by the fre after supper - they have done every year they come to this same seaside inn. It’s extraordinary how the ordinary is so interesting. I found myself totally engrossed in their lives and worries and happiness.

I am not the only one. It sold an exceptional 20,000 copies in the frst two months. The author wrote in his autobiography, “Why it took on is anybody’s guess. Mainly, perhaps because the story was easy to read, with nothing grand or

pretentious about it.”

By R.C. Sherriff

This book just made me happy. Consider this excerpt:

“They simply played catch to begin with - standing around in a wide circle and throwing to one another. Now and then Mr. Stevens, instead of throwing the ball on in the usual way would jerk it quickly back the way it came to make the others keep on the alert, and sometimes when one of the children missed it, and had to chase it down the sands towards the sea, Mr. Stevens would rest his hands on his hips and gaze round.”

Managing their annual budget to allow this holiday is a source of pride to Mr. Stevens, and although his wife is happy to be away from her housekeeping, she never tells him that she isn’t really a beach person.They each compromise with goodwill, not wanting to spoil the holiday for anyone else, which compounds their own enjoyment. The narrative alternates voices, so the reader gets to hear all their inner thoughts, bringing us closer to each.

This novel brings us back to the deep breaths of sea air that we’ve enjoyed on our own holidays, and perhaps that is part of the secret. My enjoyment of their enjoyment is tied to my own happy memories of good times by the sea.

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

Vinny O’Malley: St. Dominic’s Church & the Irish Community of Portland's West End

Every month PelotonLabs co-founder Liz Trice interviews a local community member.This month, Liz caught up with Vinny O’Malley, a volunteer and founding member of the Maine Irish Heritage Center (MIHC), located at the former St. Dominic’s Church on the corner of State and Gray Streets.

How did the building go from being St. Dominic’s Church to being the Maine Irish Heritage Center?

Saint Dominic’s Parish Church, which had served the mostly Irish community of the West End of Portland since 1832, was closed by the Diocese of Portland in 1998. This created great turmoil for parishioners whose parents and grandparents had been baptized, gone to school, were married, and had their funerals at Saint Dom’s.

The frst generation of immigrants came, and for many of them, one of the only things they brought with them was their faith. In Portland, the vast majority of them were Irish Catholics, and they built these beautiful edifces like Saint Dominic’s to honor their faith. Saint Dominic’s church was the frst Catholic church in Portland and the third oldest in Maine.

The Sisters of Notre Dame began teaching students there in 1865. Students continued to be educated there until the mid-1970’s. Saint Dominic’s had as many as four thousand parishioners in the 1940s.

Subsequently, other Portland churches were built - Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s in Portland. And many of the frst waves of immigrants moved out to the suburbs and created new parishes there. Eventually, there weren’t as many people left in the West End, and either St. Dominic’s or Sacred Heart had to close. The diocese opted to close Saint Dominic’s. The diocese tried to sell the property, but eventually had a “paper” sale to the City of Portland. The city instituted a request for proposals to reuse the facility. Ex-parishioners, the Irish American Club, and many other community members got together and submitted a proposal. We worked with PROP (now Opportunity Alliance) and Portland West Neighborhood Planning Council (now LearningWorks) to convert the old girls’ school to low-income housing.

In 2003 we took ownership of the main building and began the development of a vibrant cultural and community center for the neighborhood and the City of Portland. We want to preserve its historic character while creating a gathering place for all local residents, regardless of economic or immigrant status.

What’s your long-term vision for the building? It’s so huge and beautiful!

For nearly two centuries, the structure has been a beacon welcoming immigrants. We want to continue to enhance the inclusiveness of the Center and increase our value as a community resource.

It’s a unique facility. We’ve had tons of events there, and we already have an established library with an archival component and a popular genealogical center.The goal is to make it more of a performing arts center with its own niche.

Upon completion of the exterior projects, there are plans for the interior, including a new modern performance space on the upper level, as well as a music rehearsal room, art and history exhibition space, a snack bar and wet bar area for event nights, and two new restrooms. Upstairs in the sanctuary, we had a great live event this past November where over a dozen Irish musicians and entertainers performed and local breweries were available for refreshments. We continue to be an outstanding venue for wedding celebrations. On the lower level, we intend to completely modernize the event space, the kitchen, and the bathrooms.

On a recent Saturday evening in our downstairs community space, we had over 120 folks come watch the Stillson School Dancers perform. The following Monday we hosted a Rapid Response session sponsored by the Maine Department of Labor attended by over two hundred laidoff workers - mostly new immigrants. We believe we are uniquely situated to pro-

vide a space of inclusivity to strengthen our community by making it clear that “all are welcome here.”

What’s your role and how did you get involved?

I’m a volunteer on the construction/ facilities committee. It was my parish growing up, and I was the former executive director (I stepped down in June of 2019). I joke that all the years as a parishioner of Saint Dominic’s when I was supposed to be there, I wasn’t, and now that it’s not a church anymore, I am here doing penance! But it’s good penance.

This is our twentieth year now. In the beginning there were times where we were held together with duct tape and chewing gum. We literally passed the hat a few times to hold things together, like when the bell fell and there was no oil in the tank. Our team has grit and determination that our dreams for this building will work out.

What was it like growing up Irish in Portland’s West End?

Tyng Street, where I grew up, used to run all the way to the old bridge (we called it the viaduct). And there were hundreds of kids just on that street and the vast majority of them went to St Dominic’s. The Jesuit priests lived at the top of Tyng Street before they moved out to Cheverus, and the building on the corner of State and Danforth, one block away, was the grammar school that I and thousands of other kids attended.

Ever y year there would be a St. Patrick’s Day concert and every class at the school would put on a show with original music and costumes.There would be a big meal and the whole community would turn out. There was a lot of Irish spoken on the streets when I was growing up. Portland had one of the highest percentages of Irish speakers in the country!

A lot of people worked on the waterfront. My father was a longshoreman,

and I continue to work as a longshoreman. No one was driving cars. You could walk to neighborhood stores, pharmacies, work, and Mercy Hospital. It seemed like everything you needed was within walking distance. The suburban malls had not been developed yet. So, we had major department stores – Sears, Porteous, Mitchell and Braun – movies, and restaurants all close by downtown. It truly was pretty ideal.

What’s the Irish community like in Portland now?

We’re a membership organization and I believe our numbers would skew to folks closer to my age. My parents were Irish immigrants. There are not a lot of frst generation Irish still around. We’ve noticed in the last few years, there are more young people showing up. There were over one hundred people watching the Stillson Dancers last Saturday night, and that was mostly younger couples who had children or grandchildren dancing.

The Maine Gaelic Sports Alliance (MGSA) is designed to teach kids about Irish sports including Irish Hurling and Gaelic Football. If you haven’t noticed, Ireland and Irish culture have become pretty cool these days. It wasn’t until sometime in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s where there was net immigration into Ireland. Ireland has gotten cool!

When I lived there in the 70’s, Ireland was one of the poorest countries in Europe. But then the “Celtic Tiger” of the 90’s came to Ireland and there was rapid economic growth which changed everything. Ireland’s youth are highly educated and have great technical skills.

Greater Portland has seen an infux of Irish-born folks living and participating in many of the cultural activities that the MIHC has to offer. These new Irish folks join with our second and third generation Portland Irish who have been here for years and are creating a vibrant community in Portland.

Upcoming Events - March 2023

• March 5 - Ceil dance at RiRa

• March 7 - Derek Warfeld and the Young Wolf Tones concert at MIHC

• Mach 10 - Irish Night at Mariners Hockey

• March 12 - Saint Patrick’s Parade on Commercial Street

• March 16 - Congresswoman Pingree will tour MIHC

• March 17 - St Patrick’s Day Flag

Raising at Harbor View Park

Learn more or get involved: https:// maineirish.com.

-Photos courtesy of Vinney O'Malley PelotonPosts is created by PelotonLabs, a coworking space in the West End with a mission to connect and encourage people working on their own to manifest their visions without fear.

Layne's Wine Gig Presents

FAUX SNOWBIRDS IN NEW ORLEANS

By Layne V. Witherell

In the depth of winter there are three distinguishable types of people in Maine. There are the “true Mainers”: the type who are here come hell or frozen pipes, in it for the good or not so good long haul. The second group are the “temperature is going below 50 degrees today” types, and they are gone for half a year as non-residents, a.k.a. the “snowbirds.”

There is a distinct third group that I have named the “faux snowbirds.” They live here, pay all their taxes, but hike it out for a while during the pipe freezing season - usually one to two weeks out of winter. That is us. We choose Mardi Gras in New Orleans for the warmth, food, deliriously nice wines, combined with the ability to really dress up. Since we have been numerous of times, and have our faves, we go on a little eating and imbibing journey - just Judy and me.

ANTOINES RESTAURANT, 713 Rue

Saint Louis, NOLA, (504) 581-4422

Yeah, we know, they are the oldest operating family-owned restaurant in the US, but that’s not why we go there. The lunch still offers charbroiled oysters - a treat - and creole shrimp, and a delicious fsh amandine, all combined with

decades-long perfected service in a 19th Century setting.

No, we like this place for its surprises. The 25-cent cocktail (limit three) is gone, but they offer a bottomless rose from Raeburn Russian River Valley, 2019, that will change your mind if you are getting bored with Provence rose (as I know someday you will). It has character, favor of place, and is a brilliant choice with their creole cuisine. At $18.00 each, we clearly got our money’s worth and then some.

The real surprise with Antoine’s is always the memorabilia scattered throughout the countless banquet rooms. There was a menu from the “Escargot Society” from 1945 that blew me away as a rewrite of California wine history. Mr. Rick Blount, the CEO of the restaurant sent an e-mail taking me inside the workings of this group. They are twelve serious food and wine connoisseurs who sign on for a lifelong ride featuring three to four lavish dinners yearly. The menu featured a Wente Winery white appearing a full two decades before Robert Mondavi’s Fume Blanc introduction. We will explore my discoveries during the March 16th Wine Gig at Blue. The California Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon discovery is earlier than we think.

BACCHANAL FINE WINES AND SPIRITS, 600 Poland Ave., NOLA, (504) 948-9111

One of the world’s great backyards with accompanying fne wine, cheese platters, and music.The wine room is a temple of biodynamic selections and thoughts.

Our sensational cheese platter consisted of Cocuera 3-month Manchego, Moliterno with truffes, brie triple cream, and Don Juan Serrano. We jostled about over the wine selection as the staff know their stuff and are opinionated. I like that.

There it was. Eyrie Vineyards “Spark” Sparkling Rose, Willamette Valley, $45.00 bottle. This is the Eyrie Vineyards second generation strutting his stuff in a totally modern rendition of a “pet nat” with low carbonation and a tangy grip in favor. Perfect with the cheese, the music, the backyard, and time with my wife, Judy. I remembered experiencing the tastes of the original 1970’s Eyrie Pinot Noirs that were revolutionary in America in their emphasis of elegance and grace.

Cont'd on Pg. 11

Layne's wife, Judy, enjoys a glass of Raeburn Rose at Antoines Restaurant in New Orleans. -All photos courtesy of Layne & Judy Witherell

R’EVOLUTION, 777 Bienville St., NOLA, (504) 553-2277

“The most important new restaurant to open here in the last ffty years,” from “Eat Dat” by Michael Murphy.

They weren’t kidding. It has the look and the feel, the second you enter and gaze over at the mahogany and glass display opulence in the bar. The cocktail list is serious in its complexity.

They are famous for a wine list of magnitude (look it up!). I usually spend many hours on their website, off and on, boiling it down to fve or so wines that I can’t fnd anywhere else - and can afford. They revel in must have dishes, of course, such as their signature dish, the Death by Gumbo, a startlingly rich sauce with a whole stuffed quail in the center. It can be accompanied by their quail three ways for added layers of favor.

The wine: Domaine Newman

Beaune 1er Cru

“Clos Des Avaux,” 2017, $120.00. Lest you fall into sticker shock, I have been chasing that wine for thirty plus years. Robert Newman was a New Orleans banker who bought little slivers of great Burgundy vineyards after WW2.

The vineyard is a miniscule four plus acres, and the wine is sold only in New Orleans. We found it only at R’evolution on their list. So… how was it?

SPECTACULAR!! Older style Burgundies, the stuff made in the 60’s and 70’s before overproduction and global greed set in, are masterpieces of favors from unique places. “Something about Burgundy excites spirituality,” said Matt Kramer. It had a layer of currents, cranberries, truffes, and the most delirious favor of mushrooms in a single glass. Expertly served and accompanied with the dish. They don’t call it “Death by Gumbo” for nothing. Put this place on your bucket list.

COMMANDER’S PALACE, 1403 Washington Ave., NOLA, (504) 8998221

it was roaringly New Orleans. While Antoine’s is classic, Bacchanal is pure glorious hipster, R’evolution is just sitting back for the opulent ride and forgetting your budget, and Commander’s is like home.

There is always the perfect wine for the dish. Commander’s Turtle Soup au Sherry at $12.00 is worth the visit to the city by itself. We just stumbled onto an old favorite on their wine list Charles K. Smith Boom Boom Syrah and paired it with the soup, at $10.00 a glass. His Syrah has a touch of herbs, jam, and meat, and a softness to glide alongside the turtle soup for a glorious ride.

Remember, Be Yourself

We tasted a lot more wines at small restaurants and wine bars, but these were the highlights. The one rule of traveling is to go for the adventure, and if any of the wines that you had are available when you return locally - then fne. If not, just move on and fnd new stuff. I make a list of one or two to search for, but the rest just appear. That is part of the fun.

a step out of your comfort zone.That slice of pizza with a glass of six dollar a bottle Montepulciano de Abruzzo on a Tuesday night at home may be as comforting and fulflling as anything we experienced in New Orleans.

The one wine that is available locally is Boom Boom. I liked it so much that we will try to include it in Layne’s Wine Gig at Blue on March 16th. Usually, I make it a point to never taste the evening’s wines prior to going on stage (the audience has more fun that way), but this wine was compelling.

LAYNE’S WINE GIG

Every thirsty 3rd Thursday

You can catch Layne every third Thursday at Blue, 650 Congress Street, in Portland, Maine.

Iconic. Even if it turned into a dump and the food was lousy, you would go here for the service alone. “You will never have better service. Anywhere,” claimed Michael Murphy.

But the place is great, as is the food. AND they treat everyone like a rock star. We went to the Jazz Brunch this visit and

This was a serious gourmet outing. One that you may or may not take. The only rule about food and wine pairings is to be yourself and don’t be afraid to take

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.

Tips for Adventure Travel

By Nancy Dorrans

Even though February is a short month, I packed this past one full of adventure!

First off, a COLD snap like no other slapped us in the face when our sold-out bus group arrived in Quebec City to experience Carnaval de Quebec. Did you know that -40 degrees Celsius is the same as -40 Fahrenheit? We do now!

We’ll tr y again next year, and this time we will stay three nights and spend more time at the Carnival, the Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel), strolling around the old city, touring our hotel, Le Château Frontenac, watching the evening parade and ice boat races, not to mention savoring amazing French cuisine and wine. We need the extra time to get hungr y between meals! Save the dates: February 2nd through 5th, 2024.

A quick turn around and I was off to Bozeman, Montana from February 9th through 16th, to stay and ski at Big Sky. My traveling and skiing friends Mar y and Jim George, who traveled with me to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2018, invited me out. They live in Helena and have a place at Big Sky. Big is an understatement. The area is enormous. I’ll have to go back!

Februar y Break took me to Loon Mountain Resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to volunteer for the week as a ski coach for New England Disabled Sports. NEDS offers sports and recreation within a safe, supportive, fun boundary-free environment for individuals with disabilities who require adaptive instruction.

Breaking boundaries?

New England Disabled Sports does it every day while teaching people with disabilities how to ski or ride in winter and play outside the other seasons of the year. This year our New England Disabled Sports Winter Challenge and fundraiser is Saturday, March 11th, 2023. Contact me if you’re interested in supporting and/ or learning more about this amazing program.

And since this month was short and so adventurous for me, I thought I’d bring back an article from June 2016, flled with adventurous traveling tips. Next month, I’ll have more time to share a new travel adventure with you!

TRAVEL TIPS

As an adventurous traveler and travel agent I have a strong sense of intrigue that is accompanied by fearlessness. Not much scares me, especially strangers. The more unique and authentic the interactions, the more comfortable and engaged I become. It is this intrigue that compels me and my work as a travel counselor.

Don’t get me wrong, I am careful. I take plenty of precautions, but I am not afraid to talk to strangers. An encounter with a so-called stranger more often than not leads to the best authentic experience. That said, I do have a few helpful tips

for the adventurous traveler:

• Make several copies of your passport. Leave one at home and place another copy in a pocket of your suitcase, somewhere apart from where you keep your actual document.

• Purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in case you need to cancel your trip prior for unexpected reasons. Travel insurance will also protect you and family while traveling and offers a 24-hour travel assistance hotline. If you think you are already covered by your credit card, check again. Policies that come with your card may cover mandatory international car rental insurance, but they rarely cover cancellation fees, medical transportation, evacuation, or trip interruption.

• Research your destination thoroughly before your trip. As a travel counselor, I have access to industry review sites that are more accurate than many common consumer sites. These can help guide your research and save you valuable time.

Of course, even the latest industry information may not be accurate. Things can change by time you reach your destination. This was the case on one of my past adventures.

EX) ADAPTING IN AFRICA

I escorted a small group of friends to Southern Africa in May 2016. Our two-week journey took us to the neighborhoods of Cape Town, through wineries and botanical gardens, on a hike up Table Mountain, for a drive around the Cape of Good Hope, and to a visit with the penguins on Boulder Beach. Onwards in search of the “Big Five,” we ventured into Krueger National Park, Karongwe Private Game reserve, and up to Victoria Falls.

I knew we needed visas to travel into Zimbabwe and out of Zambia. The latest information verifed by several “reliable” sources was that we could purchase a combination visa for both countries for $50 in Zimbabwe. Upon arrival we were told they were out of the printed combination visas. They were expecting a new batch soon, but not soon enough for us. We had to purchase the Zimbabwean visa for $50 and then purchase a Zambian upon departure for an additional $50. Live and learn! It’s part of the adventure.

Your travels will take you away from your home and possibly your “comfort zone.” My business is to make sure you are well prepared for your next adventure - at a fair value and perhaps safely outside your comfort zone.

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

Left: Nancy with NEDS student at Loon Mtn. Above: Skiing Big Sky with friends Mary and Jim George.

-Photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans

PutYour Senator on Speed Dial

By Caitlin Marshall

What’s one fve-minute project you can do to make a big impact on climate?

Put your senator on speed dial!

Living in a small state, our reps are actually quite reachable, and the numbers of folks they each represent are not huge. Because of that, contact from just three to fve constituents can sway their opinion. Three to fve: that’s you, your sister, a couple friends, and the guy you chat with at the morning bus stop. And the easiest, but still very meaningful, direct appeal is a phone call.

Ok, maybe today’s smartphones don’t have speed dial, but the basic idea is this: take fve minutes now to enter contact info for your representatives, right into your contacts, and they’ll forever be more reachable.

So, logistics. Here’s how to fnd your representatives, at various levels of government:

• Go to https://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_ lookup.php.

• Next, enter your address.The results will frst show your voting information, i.e., where to vote (also useful!).

• Click the next tab over, “Elected Offcials,” to see a list of your legislators.

Here is an example for 166 Brackett Street on the West End:

US Senate

Susan Collins - (202) 224-2523

Angus King - (202) 224-5344

US House

Chellie Pingree - (202) 225-6116

Maine Senate

Benjamin Chipman - (207) 287-1515

Maine House

Matt Moonen - (207) 287-1430

Your city rep takes one extra step.

• Go back to the frst tab of results, “Voting Information,” and the frst thing you’ll see listed is your ward.

Your “ward” is the same as your “city council district.”

• Take note of that number and head over to the Portland city council page: https://www.portlandmaine. gov/741/Council-Bios.

• You’ll fnd city counselors listed by district:

District 2

Victoria Pelletier - (207) 864-8689

Go ahead and look up your reps!

I’ll wait for ya... Then put them in your phone contacts list. I enter their names starting with their title: “US Senator” or “State Rep.” This way I remember who they are, and I can easily search for them.

That’s it!

Now, the next time you get yet another email petition request for a very worthy pro-environment bill, you can reach for the phone instead. (Or in addition to! It never hurts to sign petitions.)

Just make a quick call, give your opinion, and move on with your day, knowing those fve minutes made a huge impact.

Caitlin Marshall is a Portland resident and member of the Portland Climate Action Team (PCAT).

Bright Ideas is brought to you by PCAT, which meets the third Tuesday of the month, 6 - 7:30 p.m. All are welcome! FMI: portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.

By Sofe Dejaegher

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues our society faces today.We are all contributing to this global phenomenon, and we will all feel its effects. Two of the biggest polluters in the world are Europe and the United States. Both are currently taking steps to address the issue. Although they have different approaches, there is much to be hopeful about when it comes to the progress being made on reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

The European Union has a record for being at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change. With the European Green Deal, which consists of policy initiatives targeted at creating a green transition to reach climate neutrality by 2050, the EU demonstrates a willingness to combat climate change. However, many critics argue that the plan lacks details on how to reach its ambitious goals, that it might not be economically feasible, or that it is still not ambitious enough. In spite of this, no one can argue that policies and regulations such as the EU Emissions Trading System, which puts a price on carbon emissions, and the Renewable Energy Directive, which sets targets for the share of renewable energy in the overall EU energy mix, are measures that should be commended and can make a signifcant impact on whether we achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

In the United States, the situation has been more inconsistent. In 1998, the Kyo-

to Protocol was signed by President Clinton, but never ratifed by Congress. More recently, in November 2020 the United States left the Paris Agreement, only to rejoin a few months later in February 2021. Both the Kyoto protocol and the Paris Agreement are international treaties aimed at limiting global warming.

Our country’s incoherent stance on participating in climate change mitigation efforts has caused a sense of distrust in the international community. However, in August 2022, President Biden signed the Infation Reduction Act, which marked the most signifcant action the country has taken in the fght against climate change. With its substantial funding of clean energy and climate change solutions, the Infation Reduction Act proves that the United States is once again a reliable partner in the world’s fght against climate change.

Despite their different approaches, it is important to remember that the United States and Europe share a common goal: to limit the impact of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all. As the famous American environmentalist and author, Rachel Carson, once said, “In nature, nothing exists alone.”

Sofe Dejaegher is a Belgian/Canadian national and holds a bioscience engineering technology degree with a master’s in sustainability.

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

We’re All in This Together Climate change: How Europe and America are tackling the issue

Irish Trivia

1.Physicist George Johnstone Stoney coined what term to describe the negatively charged particles that surround the nucleus of an atom?

2.What ‘70s Irish band had international hits with songs like “The Boys Are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Dancing in the Moonlight”?

3.A central figure in the “Theater of the Absurd,” what Nobel Prize winning playwright wrote the 1953 classic “Waiting for Godot”?

4.What box o ce-busting Irish dancing show starring Michael Flatley and Jean Butler got its start as a time-filler during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest? www.TheWestEndNews.com/Puzzle-Solutions

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

JUMP INTO THE DUMPSTER!!

A PLACE TO TOSS EVERYTHING WE OTHERWISE DIDN’T HAVE ROOM FOR… Ruby’s West End celebrated its fnal service at 64 Pine Street, but Corrinna, Matt, and the team look forward to serving you at their new location at 642 Congress Street Snowplows on the Maine Turnpike turn their lights to green to be more visible but they still mean the same as the old amber lights to slow down and use caution… Former city councilor David Brenerman is among the inductees to Maine Jewish Hall of Fame this May at the Maine Jewish Museum…

Husson University opens the new Institute for Strategic Leadership and Workforce Development to support and educate new leaders in the business community… As things get tougher and tougher for retail another sign of the times… Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle closes suddenly after not being able to pay its utility bills… From the world of data analysis… The Portland metro area now has one EV charger for every 1,313 residents compared to the national average of one charger for every 2,280 residents… According to an analysis by LendingTree families in Maine spend 19.6% of their income on childcare which is the 10th-highest nationwide… It’s still cold out, so the folks at RedRover want to remind readers to watch for signs of hypothermia in your pets including shivering, whining, acting lethargic or weak, decreased heart rate, and fur and skin that are cold to the touch

A March Snowstorm

old High German sturm, story; Old English styrian, to stir ~1100s

It’s announced and announced

“OK”

We know a storm is coming

It’s not welcome

It’s annoying

We’re at is mercy

Not a dusting

the weathermen gloat

But a nor’easter

“OK”

So we’ll take out the shovels

Have the bag of salt at the ready

Get

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.

-Submitted by Susan Bassler Pickford