May 07, 2009

More art - and don't forget about Mom

If you'd rather check out some art closer to home, Whitney Art Works is hosting an opening reception for Jamie Gili's Art All Around work from 5-7 pm. Gili was the winner of the international competition to design the artwork which will adorn the Sprague Energy tanks in South Portland. Get a glimpse of his designs tonight before they begin being applied to the tanks later this spring. (Gili will give a talk about his work at 1 pm Saturday.)

Feeling a little thirsty? Rosemont Market in Portland is holding a wine tasting from 4-7 pm today. Call 774-8129 for the location and details.

Saturday's a great day to relax with a perfect cup of coffee. And if you haven't quite been able to make that at home, there's help from 10 am-noon at Apothecary by Design, where the folks from Coffee By Design will be on hand for a free presentation. Alan Spear and Mary Allen Lindermann will discuss "From Bean to Cup" at PeRx-U-Up Cafe and will also demonstrate how to make the perfect espresso shot. Stop in for free coffee samples.

Still thirsty a day later? Check out the tasting room at Maine Mead Works. It's normally open from 1-5 pm on Saturdays and you'll love the sweet and smooth drinks produced from Maine honey. Here's a blog for more info.

Sunday is Mom's day so don't be stingy. If you have to go over the budget it's OK: Hopefully Mom will remember it the next time you need a handout.

But let's start with a Mom-inspired freebie anyway. Today at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay moms get in free. They also get a 50% discount on jewelry and scarves in the gift shop (in case you forgot to get a gift) and they can order from a special menu in the Kitchen Garden Cafe. Mom will love spending her day enjoying the spring blooms along the walking paths near the water. And you'll score big kudos if you get her there and back in one piece.

Another out-of-town freebie can be had today at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport. Check out the exhibits during the Mother's Day Open House from 1-5 pm.

If Mom isn't into flowers or art, maybe she'd like to hear some jazz. John Linscott and the Mainestream Jazzmasters are playing from 1-4 pm at North Star Music Cafe. You'll be expected to give a donation for the tunes and it might be nice if you sprang for lunch, too.

Mom may not be quite motivated enough to celebrate her day with a morning run, but she might like to cheer on the competitors in the Portland Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K at Hadlock Field. It'll be a feel good morning with the race at 9:15 am (Mom or Grandma will love the kids race that goes off at 8:30). You can also take in the pre-race performances from the Maine Thunder Spirits Kid's Taiko Ensemble, which will be drumming the runners both off the start line and back into the finish.

Also in the city, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad will be running trains on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Mom rides for half price ($5) with a full-paying child (ages 3-12, $6). At the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport moms get free admission when accompanied kid their kids.

If the weather cooperates, maybe Mom will want to get outside and enjoy the spring sunshine. Take her over to Bug Light Park in South Portland. The 8.78-acre park has a walking path, the Buglight Lighthouse and a liberty ship memorial. Brings a couple chairs and a picnic and just enjoy your alone time with Mom.

If Mom needs a sweet treat, Smiling Hill Farm is offering half price ice cream cones from noon to 7 pm.

Finally, if your Mom is hip, cool and likes to hang at SPACE, take her there Sunday night for Found Magazine'ts "Requiem for a Paper Bag" show at 8 pm. Davy and Peter Rothbart climbed into their van with a trunk-load of magical finds and will stop in Portland for a lively reading-and-music Found show. They'll share their latest finds, the kind of notes and letters folks find on the ground and send in for publication in the super-famous Found Mag. Sounds like a fun evening and admission is just $5.

Bottom line is, Mom will be happy no matter where you take her as long as you treat her like a queen today. That means, no matter how broke you are, don't let her pay for anything.