City's oldest street festival packs Federal

Hot temps and sunny skies conspired to bring in huge crowds for this year's St. Peter's Italian Bazaar. A fundraiser for St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church on Federal Street, the two-day festival is in its 84th year and, according to this story in the Press Herald, is the longest running street festival in the city. Adam and I strolled over Saturday night to check out the booths and games run by parishioners.

Of course, one of the big draws was the food. Pizza was available by the slice, and this booth run by Nappi's sold eats such as meatball subs and Italian sausage. Adam enjoyed a chicken parm sandwich from the stand. As a vegetarian, I was pretty much out of luck (unless you count the cotton candy, which, thankfully for my teeth's sake, I didn't).

We got a real kick out of watching a series of young, buff guys try their luck at the infamous grease pole. The goal: Climb to the top and grab the American flag. The contestants could use a rag to wipe some of the grease from the pole, but, even with such assistance, it was slow going. Regardless of how high they could climb, the view from the ground was pretty impressive.

Lobster boat delivers Red Claws uniforms

Only here in Portland would a basketball team unveil its sharp new uniforms via lobster boat. And that's exactly what happened this afternoon when John Ready, captain of Catch a Piece of Maine, rolled up to the dock below Bell Buoy Park and delivered two Maine b-ball stars dressed in the Red Claws' new threads.

On the left is Matt Clement, a former Lawrence High and Maine Maritime standout, and to his right is Jamaal Caterina, a former Deering High and University of Southern Maine star and Maine's 2001 Mr. Basketball.

Matt and Jamaal then joined Red Claws Chairman Bill Ryan, Jr., who announced that both of today's models would participate in the upcoming Northeast tryouts, which will likely take place in Boston. Let's hope they both make the cut.

The new team also announced its schedule, with the first home game set for Dec. 4 at 8 pm at the Portland Expo. You can buy tickets on the Red Claws' website.

Want to see more of these good-looking guys? Here they are ready for the pages of GQ:

New apartment building offers 43 units, green features

Today's opening of the brand new 53 Danforth apartment building was celebrated by a line-up of well-known speakers. At the podium is Chellie Pingree, Maine's 1st District representative to the U.S. Congress, who is fresh from her much talked about appearance on The Colbert Report. To her left are Dale McCormick, director of the Maine State Housing Authority, Governor John Baldacci, the project's developers Nathan Szanton and Bob Monks, and, just out of the frame, Portland Mayor Jill Duson.

They gathered to applaud the construction of this attractive 43-unit apartment building named 53 Danforth in reference to its street address. It includes 30 affordable apartments and 13 market rate apartments. Located in the Studio District, this apartment building has super-insulated walls, solar hot water heaters, low-flow showerheads, Energy Star appliances and efficient lighting. Tenants who don't own cars will receive a monthly rent reduction of $40. For those who want to go car-free, this location is pretty sweet. It's right next to the West End and Old Port and surrounded by eateries, including Yosaku, Portland Pie and El Rayo Taqueria.

Here's a view of part of the crowd that filled much of Danforth Street. There are lots of notable people in this shot, and I'll just point out a few. In the dark suit is Hans Underdahl, president of the Portland Museum of Art Board of Trustees, and next to him in the tan suit is Mark Bessire, the museum's director. When the museum bought the old YWCA next to its campus it placed $900,000 in escrow to replace the housing formerly in the Y building. That money helped fund this project.

To Mark's right, also in a tan summer suit, is Dave Birkhahn of TD Banknorth, who helped make the project possible by facilitating the bank's purchase of the property's low-income housing tax credits. In front of Mark, is the Portland Press Herald's summer intern Tim Devaney, who will have a story about the new building in tomorrow's paper, accompanied by photos from staff photographer John Ewing, in the green shirt. Be sure to check it out.

As you can see, there were TV crews at the event as well. The lady in the black pants and lime green top is Patty McDougal, who has already rented an apartment in the building. According to Nathan Szanton, others who have leased apartments include a waitress, a Shaw's clerk and an LL Bean manager.

This is a typical kitchen layout in the building's one and two bedroom units. In the units I toured, prices ranged from $771 for an affordable one-bedroom (renters must meet income guidelines) to $1,395 for a market rate one-bedroom.

Without a doubt, the best apartment in the building is this one-bedroom which comes with a giant rooftop deck with views of the harbor and the West End. It rents for $1,550. Should you want to check out these new digs before they're all rented, call Karen Walker at Dirigo Management Company at 871-1080.

New trail connects Eastern Prom with East End Trail

The other night Adam and I hiked up Congress Street (stopping at Rosemont Bakery for refreshments) and made our way to the gorgeous Eastern Promenade. Here we lingered for a while on a park bench, sipping our drinks and soaking in the most beautiful view in the city. But as the sun dipped lower, we got up to try and find our real destination: The new Fort Allen Park Trail.

We located the recently opened trail just below the gazebo in Fort Allen Park (which is near the southern most end of the Eastern Prom park). Here I am taking a quick rest before we begin our descent.

This trail connection is really a curving granite staircase, which appears to be made from old curb stones. We all know that Portland Trails maintains an amazing network of pedestrian and bike connections throughout the city, and this short trail is just the latest example of how this nonprofit is helping local people get around the city without a car.

At the bottom of the stairs, the trail dumps onto the Eastern Prom Trail. This popular trail runs between the Back Cove Trail and the Old Port and offers parallel paved and stone dust paths, making it ideal for both roller bladers and runners. It was clear from the number of people we saw walking and biking in work attire that it's being used as an alternative way to commute between downtown and the East End.

And with views like the one above, you can see why loads of Portlanders opt to leave their cars at home and hit the trails instead.

Midsummer Night's Dream performed free in Deering Oaks

Last night was the first performance of the Fenix Theatre Company's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which took place for free at the wading pool in Deering Oaks Park. If you missed it, you can catch it again tonight (Aug. 6), Sat., Aug. 8, Wed., Aug. 12, Thur., Aug. 13, Fri., Aug. 14 and Sat., Aug. 15. All shows take place at 6 pm. It's weather-permitting, of course, and it's such a treat you really want to find a way to fit it into your schedule.

Here's a shot of Puck (played by Ian Carlsen) and Oberon (played by Paul Drinan). There's a lot to love about this performance, including the high-quality of the acting and the luscious setting. Another is the fun costumes. I've seen this well-known Shakespeare play performed many times, most recently at Kennebunk High, and I have to say the sexy, urban edge of the actors' attire provided an excellent change of pace.

Here's a lounging cluster of faries, plus the comic band of actors, all of whom played multiple roles in the production. From left to right the comic actors are Snug (Ariel Francoeur, who also plays Hermia), Flute (played by Brian Chamberlain, who also plays Lysander), Snout (played by Seth Rigoletti, who also plays Demetrius) and Bottom (played by Lisa Muller-Jones, who also plays Egeus).

I've also never seen such a physical performance of this play. Not only is there lots of amorous contact, but plenty of slapping, pushing and general rolling around on the ground. It all lent itself well to the humor in this timeless comedy.

At the end of the performance, Fenix Theatre Company Executive Director Rob Cameron took the stage to thank everyone for coming and put in a good word for the donation box. He also held up a copy of yesterday's Portland Press Herald and pointed out the story about Naked Shakespeare being shut down at the Wine Bar due to Portland's strange zoning rules. He urged everyone to call their city councilors and ask that the rules be changed so the Bard and his followers don't get chased out of the Old Port.

Because even though nothing beats seeing Shakespeare in the park on a hot summer night, it's pretty hard to duplicate this al fresco performance in the dead of winter. That's why we need Naked Shakespeare at the Wine Bar. Or else we're bound to suffer "the winter of our discontent."

Regency's 20 Milk Street adds outdoor dining

The sun is shining and there's humidity in the air, which makes it the perfect time of year to grab dinner and drinks outside. Early in the season, The Portland Regency added a handful of tables on the Market Street sidewalk outside of The Armory Lounge. More recently, the historic Old Port hotel created a lovely outdoor dining room on the far side of the parking circle.

There's seating for roughly 20 and both dinner and lunch are served here, weather permitting. The standard menu comes from the hotel's 20 Milk Street restaurant. This restaurant offers steak and seafood-centric fare, but should you want something lighter I hear that the waitstaff is happy to offer the new bar menu from The Armory.

Also, look for nightly specials and the two for $60 dinner special, which includes two salads, two entrees, two desserts and coffee, tea or soda.

Lunch is served outdoors from 11:30 am-1 pm and dinner is served from 5-9:30 pm Sunday-Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. For more info or a reservation call 774-4200. The hotel & restaurant are located at 20 Milk Street.

Crafters invade the Farmers' Market

It's no secret that the Portland Farmers' Market is the best place to find fresh produce in the city, but at this time of year the market is also a great spot to pick up handcrafted items. Here are just a few of the creative folks you'll see alongside the farmers.

Allison Villani is set up in front of the Public Market House. She has a selection of delicate, hand cut cards, along with hand painted and stamped items. She also has a fun selection of tiny hand puppets. She doesn't come every Wednesday, but she will be back on Aug. 12

At the other end of the square, Jared DeSimio of Dappermonkey, has a table set up for the first time. He creates cool courier bags ($60) made from reclaimed materials and also screenprints original images on Ts ($21), long sleeves (426) and hoodies ($42).

Nearby, Kathleen White of The Maine Bath is selling her Ocean Essence pouches. Filled with hand-harvested Maine seaweed, the sachets are meant to be placed in a bath for at-home skin hydration similar to what you'd experience at a spa. These little spas-in-a-bag sell for $11.99.

In the same area, fiber artist Martha Marques is working her antique spinning wheel. Keeping her company is her intern Margaret Gale. Martha owns Threads of Meaning on Mujoy Hill, where she offers studio classes on Mondays from 1-5 pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-8 pm. Martha comes to most Wednesday markets, unless it's raining.

Another perennial market artist is David A. Marshall, who's also the city councilor for the West End. Dave is so well-known around town that he's often pulled away from his stand to talk politics, which explains why I couldn't find him when I snapped this photo. Another cool thing about Dave is that he doesn't own a car and transports this art display around town by bike.

Finally, I think this T-shirt of a martini-sipping lobster from Ashley Lenartson of Ashley Wear really sums up the quirky spirit of the Wednesday farmers' market. It's the place to be for good food, good art and good times.

New Eco-Elegance shop recycles weddings

April Randolph, a former sea turtle biologist, shows off a silk Vera Wang wedding dress in her brand new Eco-Elegance consignment shop on Market Street in the Old Port. While the store offers a sleek, polished look, this isn't your typical bridal boutique. All the gowns are "pre-loved" (as April calls them), and the goal is to help local brides reduce wedding costs and then recycle wedding items after the big day has passed. As an example, this Vera Wang dress cost $5,000 new and is selling for $2,500 at Eco-Elegance.

A number of the gowns have never been worn. It's not that the weddings didn't happen, but rather reflects the trend of brides buying more than one dress before deciding (often just a day or two before the wedding) which one to wear. The other dresses, with tags still attached, can't be returned to the retailers where they came from, but they can be consigned to Eco-Elegance, where the bride will get 50% of the sales price.

For April, the switch from scientist to shop owner came when she realized she wanted to put her environmental values to use in a way that allowed her to interact more with people. So she swapped biology for ball gowns.

The shop also accepts bridesmaids gowns, mother of the bride dresses and general evening wear.

Oh yes, and there are shoes too. The only new items in the store are the lingerie pieces.

Another really cool feature of the shop is the section selling candles, cake cutters, flower baskets, napkins, centerpieces and other decor items. Many brides put hours and hours of time and significant amounts of cash into creating gorgeous decorations that are only enjoyed for a few fleeting hours. Now brides can recoup some of this time and money, and brides-to-be can get first rate decor for discounted prices.

No appointment is needed to come into the shop and try on dresses. Even though the atmosphere is laid back, the store's design and amenities are just as elegant as the name.

Eco-Elegance is located at 157 Middle St, near the entrance to Videoport & Bull Moose. It is open Wed-Sat 10 am-6 pm and Sun 1-6 pm. FMI call 828-4696.

555 cook revamps Fit to Eat

Roughly three years ago Mike Mastronardi used to manage the sandwich shop and salad bar Fit to Eat. But after a year there he left to further his culinary knowledge, working at two foodie hotspots: The Harraseeket Inn in Freeport and Five Fifty-Five in Portland.

"Five Fifty-Five really taught me how to cook," Mike says of the fine dining restaurant, where he still works Sunday brunch.

Recently he was offered the opportunity to take over the reins at Fit to Eat, and he jumped at it. He re-opened the shop two weeks ago with a pared down menu and scratch made breads.

Everything is made fresh to order, with sandwiches that include the Old Port ($6.99), with roast beef, avocado, romaine, tomato, cheddar and cucumber wasbi mayo, the California ($7.50), with salmon, avocado, carrots, cucumbers, romaine and cucumber wasbi mayo, and the Santa Fe ($6.99), with chicken, romaine, red peppers, banana peppers, salsa and cheddar.

There's one vegetarian sandwich on the menu, the Portobello ($6.75), with arugula, roasted red peppers, cheddar and horseradish mayo, and there's also a daily vegetarian special.

Each day Mike makes the Tuscan and focaccia rolls, plus English muffins.

Here's Mike whipping up one of his signature scrambled egg sandwiches served until 11 am on the English muffins. Choices include bacon ($5), sausage ($5) and veggie ($6).

He's making all the sauces and dressings from scratch and is sourcing his supplies from Native Maine, Micucci Wholesale and the Fresh Approach market in the West End.

"I don't believe in canned or frozen," Mike says. "I hope that's what sets us apart."

He offers one soup a day, and each is cream-based. Today's soup is carrot cardamon ($2.50/$3.50). He's working on a chilled cucumber creme fraiche soup and a tomato bisque will follow.

In the future, he hopes to add bagels, gluten-free bread and possibly pizza (but that's farther down the road).

"I hope people will be able to tell the difference between homemade mayonnaise and dressing and the bottled stuff," he says.

Fit to Eat is located above The Big Easy and next to Sebago at 65 Market St. It is open Mon-Fri from 7 am-5 pm. Once O'Natural's closes up shop, Fit to Eat may add hours on Saturday. To place an order to go, call 761-4441.

Crowds mob Vegetarian Food Fest

Saturday morning was a little dreary, but that didn't stop the crowds from descending on the 5th annual Vegetarian Food Festival. The event was held in the gym and cafeteria of the LEED-certified East End Community School in Portland. Here the cafeteria is filled with folks waiting to score free samples of food donated by national companies, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables and the local veg-friendly restaurant The Pepperclub.

Hidden behind the mob, there was another row of exhibitors, including Jonah Fertig of Local Sprouts Cooperative. He was whipping up a tasty stir fry made with all Maine ingredients, including Maine-made tofu and canola oil.

Next door, the gym was just as packed with attendees and a bunch more exhibitors.

The table with free samples from the super-popular Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro was swamped until they ran out of food just two hours into the event. Since it's next to impossible to get a table at the restaurant, I wasn't surprised to see their food go so quickly.

Silly's, an East End institution, was serving up free samples of their award-winning BBQ tofu. I snapped this photo right after the festival opened at 11 am, which is the only reason these lovely ladies had a chance to smile for the camera.

Blogger, author and macrobiotic cook Meg Wolff had so many people stopping by to chat that I had a tough time just saying hi. You may remember her cooking tips from this story about macrobiotics I wrote for Switch. You can catch her doing a cooking demo on WCSH-6's 207 program next Thursday, July 23.

Being a bit of a bibliophile, I couldn't resist making a few purchases at this table staffed by Rabelais, Portland's all food bookstore. I hear they sold out of a number of books.

I didn't make it to the 13th Cookie table until after 1 pm, and I was too late to sample their vegan baked goods. With the popularity of plant-based diets in the Greater Portland area, I guess it's no surprise that vendors had a tough time keeping up with the demand. I expect the success of this growing event means we'll find even more exhibitors at next year's festival.

Want to see more photos from the event? Check out Cara Slifka's Seen photos here.