Maine Marathon volunteers needed

Maine Marathon
& Half Marathon & Marathon Relay
Portland, Maine
Oct. 4, 2009, 7:45 a.m.

!!! Volunteers Needed !!!

Volunteer HELP!

The Maine Marathon enlists the help of more than 400 volunteers each year to help organize and support the event. Volunteers are needed in many capacities, including the following areas:

Registration setup (9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday)

Saturday registration/packet pickup (noon to 3 p.m. or 3 to 6 p.m.)

Race-day registration/packet pickup (5:30 to 7:30 a.m.)

Parking assistants (6 to 7:45 a.m.)

Traffic control (times vary depending on location)

Water stops (times vary depending on location)

Chip removal at finish line (7 to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Baggage check-in/check-out (6 to 7:45 a.m., 9 to 11:30 a.m., 11:30 to 2 p.m.)

Trail vehicle for second half of marathon (10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., cell phone required)

Finish area cleanup crew (2 to 3:30 p.m.)

Volunteers receive a T-shirt and a coupon for a Portland Sea Dogs ticket in 2010, and also will be entered into a drawing for one of 25 gift certificates to Peak Performance Multisport.

To sign up for one or more of these tasks, go to www.doitsports.com

If you have questions about any of these duties, please contact Bob Aube at bobaube@mainetrackclub.com or 650-2939.

Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance Announces New Board Members and $26,000 in Grants

The Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA) announced last week awards of $26,000 in grants for the last fiscal year, as well as the appointment of four new board members.

In the 2008-09 fiscal year, PACA received $10,000 from the Maine Arts Commission for building capacity in Maine's cultural communities and $4,000 for the Public Art Lecture Series. The Davis Family Foundation granted PACA $7,500 for the First Friday Art Walk, and the City of Portland contributed $5,000 for general operating support.

Board president Alice Kornhauser commented, "We are deeply gratified to have such substantial support from public, private and non-profit sectors for programs like First Friday Art Walk that contribute so much to the quality of life in Portland, not to mention over $250,000 a year to the local economy."

PACA's four newly-appointed board members include: Peter Bass (President of Random Orbit, Inc. a progressive real estate development company and member of the Developers Collaborative), Ezekiel Callanan (co-founder and Executive Director of Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts), Amanda Flanagan (Account Executive, gBritt PR), and Marty Pottenger (Director, Arts & Equity Initiative, City of Portland and Executive Director, Terra Moto Inc.).

About Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA):
Founded in 1985 and designated as the City of Portland, Maine's local arts agency in 1997, PACA's core programs include First Friday Art Walk and Creative Conversations. PACA also provides support to the City of Portland's Public Art Committee as well as the newly established Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. PACA was the facilitating agency for Portland's participation in the Maine Arts Commission's Discovery Research and "Arts and Economic Prosperity" national survey through Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.

wepushbuttons Announces Winners of 2009 Awards at Sept. 26 Event

On Saturday, September 26th 2009, the Maine electronic music community came together to celebrate its achievements and exemplars at the 3rd Annual wepushbuttons awards Show. The event, co-hosted by Todd the Rocket and A Frame, was held at the Empire Dine and Dance and was open to the public. The Awards event was the capstone event of the wepushbuttons: Electronic Music Festival, in its inaugural year.

At the event, awards were presented in over 16 categories of electronic music in all of its forms, including: hip hop, techno, house, dubstep, breaks and drum n bass. Winners were chosen out of a Maine-based pool of talent nominated by the WPB committee. Voting, which was open to the public, took place over a 3 week period in September via wepushbuttons.com.

The winners page can be found here:
http://wepushbuttons.com/winners2009.html
and the complete list can also be found at the bottom of this release.

WPB Co-founder and Awards host Todd Richard comments,
"This year has marked an amazing move forward for WPB. The Awards event was a massive success, and that is obviously thanks to the unbelievable support from the music community as a whole in Maine. It's gratifying to see audiences realize that electronic music is alive, well, and everywhere in our culture, on a local and global level.

The response to our debut electronic music festival has also shown us that not only are Maine musicians and audiences ready, but are waiting for more opportunities to showcase this art and craft. We're already gearing up for WPB:EMF 2010!"

WPB Founders Jason Hjort, Todd Richard, and Marc Shepard would like to thank the following:

Portland Phoenix for their sponsorship and support, Maine Roller Derby, Empire Dine and Dance, Slainte, the Big Easy, the White Heart, The Portland Expo, Space Gallery, Ryan Dolan, Ian Paige, Nate Shupe, Lauren Wayne, Agent 8, Daniel Willis and AV Technik, Wally Wentzel, Chris Gray, Justin Ellis, Bryan Bruchman, Mark Curdo, Ludella Hahn, Kait Pressey, Matty T, Jason Keith, VJ Foo, and all the performers, presenters, staff members, and audience members who supported the festival and the awards.

2009 wepushbuttons Awards Winners

Best Dubstep - winner: Moshe
nominees: Elusid, highkoo, Jonek@t, Lukaduke, Moldy, Moshe.

Best Venue - winner: Big Easy
nominees: Big Easy, Bubba's, Empire, Slainte, SPACE, The White Heart.

Best Party Act - winner: H++L
nominees: Bam Bam, H++L, Laptop Lounge, Neon Garden, Party More!.

Best Techno Act - winner TIE: Vik44 TIE j.hjort
nominees: Alchera, Beatmo, j.hjort, Psydways, Seratto, Vik44.

Best Non-Musical - winner: Beltek
nominees: Beltek Festival, Justin Ellis (PPH), Mark Curdo (WCYY), Portland Music Foundation, Portland Phoenix, VJ Foo.

Best Breaks/Drum n Bass DJ - winner: DJ Corbin
nominees: DJ Corbin, Elusid, Illogik, Marshall Law, Stryknyne.

Best Club DJ - winner: Atomik
nominees: Atomik, DJ Jon, DJ Verbatum, KTF Terison, Nicotine, Todd 'The Rocket'.

Best House Act - winner: Popgirl23
nominees: Atomik, DJ Nocturnal, Mr. Dereloid, Nicotine, Popgirl23, Tim D.

Best Hip-Hop DJ - winner: Doc Joshua
nominees: Boondocks, DJ Graymatter, Dj Mayonnaise, DJ Shadezilla, Doc Joshua, Thel.

Best New Artist - winner: The White Jacket Collaborative
nominees: Educated Advocates, Grant Street Orchestra, Monsoon, The White Jacket Collaborative.

Best Live Act - winner: Metris vs. Vik44
nominees: Dreamosaic, Metris vs. Vik44, Miss Fairchild, Pentateuch, the secret weekend, Slouch & Adam B.

Best Electronic Act - winner: the secret weekend
nominees: agent8, alias, Computer at Sea, DJ Joy Ride, Metris, the secret weekend.

Best MC - winner: Brzowski
nominees: A-Frame, Brzowski, Ghost, Ill By Instinct, Josiah Scribes, Pensivv.

Best Hip-Hop Act - winner: Spose
nominees: A-Frame & The Foundation, Brzowski, Labseven, Luch & Eliza, Sandbag, Spose.

Best Album - winner: Dilly Dilly
nominees: Dilly Dilly-'Of Art and Intention', Ill By Instinct- 'Maiden Voyage', Luch & Eliza- 'Mind Over Melody', nomar slevik- 'Welcome to Fuckland', Various Artists- 'Goose Bumps 3.0', Vik44- 'Was Never White' .

Best Artist - winner: Sandbag
nominees: Brzowski, Dilly Dilly, Luch & Eliza, Metris vs. Vik44, Moldy, Sandbag.

South Portland Parks and Recreation selling Discount Pirates Tickets on Starting on Oct. 5th

The South Portland Parks and Recreation Department is now selling Portland Pirates discount flex vouchers for the 09-10 hockey season. Flex Vouchers will be on sale beginning on October 5th at the South Portland Community Center.

Each flex voucher is good for any best available main deck seat at the any CC Civic Center home game during the regular 2009-10 season, subject to availability. Adult vouchers are $10.00 each, a discount of $5.00 off the regular main deck cost. Child /Senior vouchers are $9.00 each, $1.00 off the regular cost.

Vouchers can be redeemed at the Civic Center Box office for any 09-10 regular season home game with the Portland Pirates. These make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season, birthday or anytime you want to take the family to the game and are looking for a deal! Perfect for the hockey fan in your family to use throughout the season!

All flex voucher sales are final. Cash and checks are accepted. We do not accept credit cards. For more information, please call 767-7650.

"Most Dangerous Game" Now Available for Download

FinalRune is proud to announce that the first piece produced in collaboration with the Mad Horse Theater, "The Most Dangerous Game," is available for release.

The Most Dangerous Game," originally written by Richard Connell, was adapted anew by FinalRune Producer Fred Greenhalgh, with some inspiration by the original "Escape" script. It tells the story of wealthy big-game hunter Sanger Rainsford, who falls off his boat in the middle of the Caribbean and finds himself on a curious island. He finds the mansion of General Zaroff, a Cossack who has a taste for the hunt, and will go to any extreme to keep himself entertained...

The show airs first on WMPG on Fred's show, Radio Drama Revival, 1-1:30PM on Thursday, September 24, and will be available on Friday, September 25 on Radio Drama Revival's podcast (http://www.radiodramarevival.com) and FinalRune's website (http://www.finalrune.com/)

Two more stories will be released in October: "Sorry, Wrong Number," the suspenseful tale of a woman who overhears two men plotting a murder, and "Three Skeleton Key," a classic tale of terror of three lighthouse keepers trapped in their tower by a mass of hungry rats.

In keeping with FinalRune's field recording style, all of the productions were recorded on location or in locations similar to the sonic environment of the scene, for example, Three Skeleton Key was recorded Goat Island Light, a charming lighthouse just off the coast of Cape Porpoise, Maine, and indoor scenes were recorded at Mad Horse's new space at the Hutchins School.

FinalRune has a lot of people to thank on this one. First, to all of the Mad Horse people for being so open to working in a new medium and bringing such patience and talent to this production. Next, to sound recordist Randy Farr, without whom recording these would have been damn near impossible. To Philip Hobby, who jumped in last minute to do a spectacular job in "Three Skeleton Key." And finally to Goat Island Light's keepers, Scott and Karen, who welcomed us to their beautiful island.

Tons of photos of the shoot are available on FinalRune's Flickr Page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/29766062@N02/sets/72157622381123412/ credits go to Fred, Barb Truex and Philip Hobby. Keep tuned to Radio Drama Revival for the other works (available on 10-29) and of course for the Halloween special to be held at USM (http://www.finalrune.com/horror)

311 with State Radio and Sidecar Radio

311 with State Radio and Sidecar Radio at the Cumberland County Civic Center Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30p.

Tickets go on-sale Friday, September 25 at Noon and will be available at the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office, charge by phone at (207) 775-3458 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and www.livenation.com.

Tickets are $39.50, general admission, all ages.

Live Nation is pleased to announce the return of 311 to Portland, Maine on November 25 at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Joining 311 on-stage will be very special guests State Radio and Sidecar Radio.

311 released their highly anticipated new album, Uplifter, on June 2. Uplifter is the band's first studio record in three years and was produced by the legendary Bob Rock. As the title suggests, the band's album is an uplifting collection of 311's trademark blend of rock & reggae; elevated by inspired songwriting, dynamic musicianship and big anthemic choruses. A deluxe edition of Uplifter will include a special DVD documentary, "The Road to 311 Day," directed by Wayne Price. The documentary, including interviews, backstage footage and live performances, follows the band and their fans for the week leading up to the 3-11 Day concert event in New Orleans in 2008.

311's celebratory live shows & incessant touring schedule have earned them a massive grassroots following nationwide. Since its inception in 2004, 311's annual summer headlining amphitheatre run, Unity Tour, has become one of the largest annual modern rock tours of the summer.

Try some acting on for size during the "Inspecting Carol" table reading

Not familiar with the next show we're presenting, the hilarious Christmas farce, "Inspecting Carol"?

You're not alone! But here's your chance to:

- read the play aloud with other actors

- polish your acting skills

- see if you'd like to audition or work on the show

- meet the crew

- socialize!

Trying something new here, in doing a table reading of the show before auditions # but it is an "unknown gem" and we want to make sure auditions are well attended and the word gets spread about this funny show. We want to make it the perfect "cap" to the Christmas season for our patrons. Contact Eileen Messina, the director at 333-9996 or during work hours at 865-1040

Table Reading will be:

Saturday, September 26

7:00 pm

Great Falls Art Center

30 Academy Street, Auburn

YOU MUST CALL FIRST IF YOU ARE ATTENDING!

Please bear in mind attendance at the table reading does NOT give any advantage for auditions nor will be taken into consideration for casting. This is NOT a substitution for auditions. This is just for fun!

Portland Ballet Presents Halloween-Themed Spooktacular on October 31

Portland Ballet will continue their tradition of haunting holiday-themed performances this fall with Halloween Spooktacular, a "scary" show scheduled for Halloween Day. At 2 pm on Saturday the 31st, Portland Ballet Company will present six pieces choreographed by Nell Shipman, the company's Resident Choreographer and a Principal Dancer and Instructor for Portland Ballet. All ages are encouraged to attend the concert, and to come in costume. A Costume Parade will be held during intermission.

Musical selections for the creepy concert include works by Shostakovich, Berlioz, Puccini, and more. Spooky-themed pieces include "Night of the Living Dolls", "Love at First Bite", about vampires, "Danse Macabre", and others. Dancers from Portland Ballet Company and Portland Ballet's C.O.R.P.S. program will show off their scarier sides in "cadaverous" costumes.

Portland Ballet Company's dancers include Elizabeth "Appalling" Avantaggio, "Vicious" Vanessa Beyland, Megan "Boo!" Buckley, Derek "Creaking" Clifford, Morgan "Savage" Sanborn, "Nasty" Nelly Shipman, "Cadaverous" Katrina Smedal, Tyler "Spellbound" Sperry, "Rotting" Rachel Willis, Andrea "the Anarchist" Lucas, "Monstrous" Morgan Sanborn, and apprentices Anastasia "Sinister" Street, Emily "Beastly" Belanger, and Hannah "Wicked" Wallace.

Dancers from the C.O.R.P.S. program are Adam "Morbid" Mosey, "Quirky" Quincy Dean, "Awful" Arianna Lawson, Jacqueline "Bizarre" Bolduc, Brie "Scandalous" Sampson, "Mysterious" Mattie Woodside, Jane "Horrendous" Howard, Emily "Awful" Avery, "Abnormal" Abby Menard, and Julia "Kooky" Conley.

Spooktacular will be held on Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. at Portland High School's John Ford Theater. Tickets are available at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. For more information, please contact Portland Ballet at 207-772-9671 or visit www.portlandballet.org.

About Portland Ballet:
Portland Ballet was founded in 1980 with a mission to enrich the community through classical ballet training, education, outreach, and performance. This small professional company performs throughout the year in southern Maine, presenting full-length classics as well as highly regarded contemporary choreography under the direction of Artistic Director Eugenia L. O'Brien. For more information about Portland Ballet, its school and programs, visit www.portlandballet.org or call 207-772-9671.

###

Spooktacular Program
Masquerade
Music: Shostakovich
Dancers: Elizabeth "Aaaaiiiieeee" Avantaggio, Derek "Creeping" Clifford, Andrea "Lurching" Lucas, Morgan "Slimy" Sanborn, "Nervous" Nell Shipman, "Cackling" Katrina Smedal, "Terrible" Tyler Sperry, Anastasia "Screeching" Street, Rachel "Wailing" Willis

Night of the Living Dolls
Music: Gounod
Dancers: "Marauding" Megan Buckley, Vanessa "The Vulture" Beyland, Andrea "Loathsome" Lucas, "Horrible" Hannah Wallace

Love at First Bite
Music: Puccini
Dancers: "Eerie" Elizabeth Avantaggio, "Demonic" Derek Clifford, Nell "Shuddering" Shipman, Tyler "Spooky" Sperry

INTERMISSION & COSTUME PARADE

Unnamed
Music: Berlioz
Dancers: Emily "Awful" Avery, Emily "Beastly" Belanger, Jacqueline "Bizarre" Bolduc, Julia "Kooky" Conley, "Quirky" Quincy Dean, Jane "Horrendous" Howard, "Abnormal" Abby Menard, Adam "Morbid" Mosey, Brie "Scandalous" Sampson, "Heinous" Hannah Wallace, "Mysterious" Mattie Woodside

Now I lay me down to sleep…
Music: Grieg
Dancers: Emily "Bloodcurdling" Belanger, Vanessa "Bewitching" Beyland, "Murderous" Megan Buckley, Andrea "the Anarchist" Lucas, "Monstrous" Morgan Sanborn, Anastasia "Sinister" Street, "Wretched" Rachel Willis, Hannah "Wicked" Wallace

Danse Macabre
Music: Saint-Saens
Dancers: Elizabeth "Appalling" Avantaggio, "Vicious" Vanessa Beyland, Megan "Boo!" Buckley, Derek "Creaking" Clifford, Morgan "Savage" Sanborn, "Nasty" Nelly Shipman, "Cadaverous" Katrina Smedal, Tyler "Spellbound" Sperry, "Rotting" Rachel Willis

Downtown Worker Appreciation Day!

Portland's Downtown District and Portland Buy Local are joining forces to present Downtown Worker Appreciation Day TOMORROW September 24, 2009, 7:30am - 9:30am.

Downtown Worker Appreciation Day was a hallmark event for Portland in years past, and we are continuing the tradition of thanking YOU for working downtown!

Tables will be located outside at the Portland Museum of Art, Monument Square, and Tommy's Park offering giveaways, refreshments, coupons & gifts from local businesses.

Guitar Center Drum-Off '09 Kicks Off Local Preliminary Rounds

First Round of Competitions Begin September 24 In Over 100 Cities Around the Country!

Now in its 21st year, Guitar Center's Drum-Off has been a launching pad for numerous professional drummers, including Cora Coleman-Dunham and Tony Royster Jr, two Drum-Off winners who have gone on to become highly acclaimed professional drummers (with Prince and Jay Z respectively).

Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is part of Guitar Center's ongoing mission to provide emerging artists and musicians with career-altering opportunities that encourage and support their journey in becoming professional musicians.

Drum-Off inspires up-and-coming drummers to further their musical aspirations, while at the same time encouraging the local music community and providing a platform for local musicians to network and be discovered. Guitar Center's Drum-Off '09 will feature competitions in over 200 Guitar Center locations across the country, culminating with the Grand Finals in Los Angeles in January 2010.

Guitar Center's Drum-Off '09 champion will win an impressive package of prizes, including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-25 electronic kit, a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums, a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals as well as a feature in Modern Drummer magazine, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2010 and a Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal, making the total prize package worth over $40,000. Additionally, Monster Energy, Pro-Mark, Latin Percussion, DW, Remo, Vic Firth, Orange County Drum and Percussion, Zildjian, Sabian, Gretsch, Roland, Tama, Pearl, Evans and Modern Drummer are all proud sponsors of Guitar Center's Drum-Off 09.

How Drum-Off Works:

Local competitions begin September 24 in all 214 Guitar Center locations from nationwide. One winner from each store will be chosen to move up to district competitions (24 locations), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations) and culminating in the final championship Drum-Off in Los Angeles in January of 2010 (exact date and venue TBD).

COMPETITION DATES:

STORE PRELIMS: September 24, October 1, and October 8.

STORE FINALS: October 15

DISTRICT FINALS: November 5

REGIONAL FINALS: December 3

GRAND FINALS: January 2010

Following the regional finals on December 3, five finalists will head for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform in front of a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges. The will also share the stage with some of today's most legendary drummers. Drum-Off '08 featured performances by Papa Roach, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), and a special collaborative performance by former Drum-Off winner Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta) and Thomas Lang.

Camden International Film Festival Announces POINTS NORTH Documentary Film Forum Featuring Patricia Finneran of Sundance and Greg Rhem of HBO

Industry leaders from Sundance Documentary Institute, HBO, PBS, and Gucci-Tribeca Fund confirmed

CAMDEN, Maine, September 21, 2009 - The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) today announced its inaugural POINTS NORTH Documentary Film Forum, which runs concurrently with the Camden International Film Festival. CIFF will take place from October 1 - 4 throughout Camden, Rockport and Rockland, Maine. POINTS NORTH will be held on Friday, October 2 from 2 # 6 at Union Hall on the Maine Media Workshops campus.

This free event is specifically designed to benefit New England based filmmakers, providing an unparalleled opportunity to connect with top-level industry leaders including funders, broadcasters, filmmakers and producers. The forum is open to the public, offering filmmakers in the region a way to enhance their professional development.

Featuring two intensive, back-to-back session, POINTS NORTH will present an afternoon of lively discussions, in-depth examination of funding trends, first hand accounts of self-distribution, Q&A sessions and an intimate reception. The first panel, "A New World", will explore aspects of the current funding process, trends and players. It will be followed by "The Survivor's Guide", discussing sustainable living in the new world of filmmaking, focusing on DIY distribution and making successful films in the current economic climate.

"I'm thrilled to be able to offer this unique opportunity to the documentary film community in New England," said Ben Fowlie, CIFF Founder and Director. "The Points North Forum, spearheaded by Brunswick-based international documentary expert Louise Rosen, is bringing together leaders from all corners of the industry. For anyone interested in documentary production or distribution, this is an event that should not be missed" said Fowlie.

Rosen added, "Industry representatives of this caliber just don't make it to New England very often # and we couldn't be more honored to host them here in Maine."

A New World: Non-fiction Film Funding, Trends and Players

This panel will begin with 5-7 minute presentations from each participant, including clips, overview of their organization - the types of projects they fund and what they look for. This will be followed by a 60 minute moderated panel discussion with Q&A on overall funding trends. Confirmed panelists to date include Patricia Finneran (Sundance Documentary Institute), Greg Rhem (HBO), Ryan Harrington (Gucci Tribeca Fund), Sara Archambault (LEF Foundation) Jalyn Henton (PBS National Program Service) with others expected to be announced in the coming weeks. This panel will be moderated by Louise Rosen (Managing Director, Louise Rosen Ltd).

The Survivor's Guide: Filmmaker Roundtable on Sustainable Filmmaking w/ Q&A

Panel topics include DIY distribution, making a living as a documentary filmmaker and tips on filmmaking in the current economic climate, discussed by some of the leading documentary filmmakers working today. Moderated by Pamela Cohn, noted film critic, filmmaker and author, the panel includes to date, David Redmon (Mardi Gras: Made in China/Carnivalesque Films, AJ Schnack (Convention/Cinema Eye Honors), Ian Cheney (King Corn/Wicked Delicate Films) Gita Pullapilly and Aron Gaudet (The Way We Get By), Dana Rae Warren (Independent Producer, Maine resident) and Danielle Digiacomo (Independent Film Project Community Outreach Manager).

POINTS NORTH Documentary Film Forum will begin on October 2 at 2pm with introductory remarks on the current documentary landscape. The Forum will be followed by a reception from 5 # 6, open to all participants. Sponsored in part by the LEF Foundation and Maine Media Workshops, POINTS NORTH is an extension of the Camden International Film Festival.

For more information on scheduling, directions and up to date information on panelists, please visit www.camdenfilmfest.org/pointsnorth

ABOUT CIFF

Committed to supporting and generating interest in independent documentary films, the annual festival presents a snapshot of the cultural landscape through the year's best non-fiction storytelling. The weekend also includes intimate Q&A sessions, panels, installation exhibits, musical performances and parties.

The 5th Annual Camden International Film Festival will take place October 1-4, 2009, screening over fifty films at venues in Camden, Rockport and Rockland. For more information on the festival, the full schedule, or information on passes visit www.camdenfilmfest.org.

small towns, big films.

Former Port City Life Owner and Publisher to Make Career Change

With the spirit of fall in the air, new endeavors abound, including at North Yarmouth Academy (NYA). The school will soon welcome Laurie Hyndman, former Owner and Publisher of Port City Life magazine, to their admissions office, where she will serve as the new Director of Admission.

Port City Life magazine was acquired earlier this year by Kevin Thomas and Susan Kelley, publishers of Maine Home+Design, who recently re-launched the magazine as Maine. Thomas spoke about Hyndman's work on Port City Life and her new venture at NYA. "Laurie built a great foundation for a lifestyle magazine and really captured Maine's unique flavor. We know she will bring the same passion, skill, and dedication to her new job at NYA, fostering a great culture for the school," he noted.

Hyndman, too, is thrilled about the new direction her career has taken. "It was a privilege to capture the unique quality of Maine and share it with our readers for the past seven and a half years. I met amazing people and worked with a great team at Port City Life. Now I'm joining a new team and look forward to telling NYA's story to families who want an academic program that builds character through challenging academics, a strong fine arts and music program, and great athletics. This is an exciting time. I wish Kevin and Susan well as they embark on their new adventure with Maine magazine."

The new Maine magazine launched on August 27. Its second issue is planned to hit newsstands on October 1.

New Class at SMCC Helps Homeowners Go “Green”

Participants in Southern Maine Community College's new green building design seminar will learn about the new trends in green building and gain the knowledge they need to make eco-friendly decisions about building a new home or renovating an existing one.

This course will survey basic concepts of passive and active solar design, daylighting, photovoltaic, domestic hot water systems, wind, geothermal and other emerging sustainable design concepts and their application to residential projects. The classes will cover basic concepts as well as discussion of actual student design problems in their own home planning.

Classes start October 1 and run Thursdays from 6-9 pm through October 22, and the cost is $95.

For more information or to register, call 207-741-5758.

Learn to Create Thai Cuisine and Preview Thailand Culinary Adventure at Hurley Travel Experts, October 1

On Thursday, October 1, Hurley Travel Experts will host a special Thai-themed evening. Ryan Shute, from the Camden Harbour Inn, will be at the event to present an exciting new venture: a Camden Harbour Inn guided Culinary Tour of Thailand. During the two-hour event, guests will have an opportunity to experience an informal Thai cooking class with a chef from the Camden Harbour Inn's restaurant Natalie's and hear the exciting details of the Culinary Tour.

The trip, personally guided by the Camden Harbour Inn and Lawrence Klang, executive chef of Natalie's restaurant, is a fourteen-day tour through Thailand centered around the country's famous food. Luxurious hotels, intimate cooking classes, fine dining, visits to outdoor markets, rickshaw and boat rides, and more are all part of the trip. The itinerary even includes a tour through the bamboo forest on the back of an elephant!

Also present at the event will be Pat Wilcock, a travel advisor from Hurley Travel Experts, who will be available for booking assistance. There will be special incentives for booking the trip at the October 1 event.

Food and fun will be the focus of the evening, and all are invited to attend. The Thai Culinary class will take place at Hurley Travel Experts' headquarters in the Thomas Moser Building on Cumberland Ave. in Portland from 7-9 pm. Guests can RSVP or find more information by calling 207-874-7400 or by emailing rsvp@travelexperts.com.

Camden International Film Festival Call for Volunteers

The Camden International Film Festival is seeking volunteers for their 2009 festival. If you, or someone you know loves non-fiction storytelling, or is just looking for a taste of the film industry, please email us at volunteer@camdenfilmfest.org.

This is a great opportunity to be part of the behind-the-scenes action, gain experience in film festival planning, connect with filmmakers, and see a number of documentaries screening for the first, and maybe only time in New England! There are a number of ways to help out including ticket-taking, event catering, driving and ushering. Volunteers will be rewarded throughout the festival by receiving a free CIFF T-shirt and tickets to screenings of their choice, depending on availability. Join the excitement that only an international film festival can provide!

Passes to the 2009 Camden International Film Festival are on sale now through the organization's website, www.camdenfilmfest.org. Usher in fall enjoying some of the year's best independent non-fiction cinema on the coast of Maine at the 5th annual Camden International Film Festival, taking place from October 1st # 4th. Pass options include the VIP Pass that allows admittance to all screenings, panels, special events and parties throughout the weekend, and the CIFF Pass that allows admittance to all screenings and panels.

About the Camden International Film Festival:

The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) is dedicated to presenting a snapshot of the cultural landscape through the year's best non-fiction storytelling, connecting audiences with the industry's emerging talent to discuss documentary film as an art form, a catalyst for change and as an outlet for the independent voice.

Taking place from October 1#4, 2009, the Camden International Film Festival will screen over fifty documentary features, shorts and a Made in Maine showcase at the Camden Opera House, Bayview Street Cinema, Farnsworth Art Museum and Strand Theatre with Q&As from filmmakers, live music, art exhibits, panels and other special events. CIFF 09 is made possible in part through the generous support of the Maine Arts Commission, the University of Maine, Down East Magazine, Camden National Bank, MovieMaker Magazine, MPBN, Paolina's Way and Unity College. Please visit www.camdenfilmfest.org for more information.

Bicycle Coalition of Maine Partners with Common Ground Fair to Provide Valet Bike Parking

Those attending the Common Ground Fair in Unity on September 25-27 can save gas and money by bicycling to the fair.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine partners with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) to organize and promote valet bicycle parking at the fair. Now in its 11th year, the service cuts down on traffic and pollution. That fits with the fair's focus on promoting sustainable living.

Fairgoers who arrive on bicycle receive a rousing welcome with chiming bells and applause from valet parking volunteers. Cyclists have a convenient and safe place to store their bikes and they get a $2 discount on admission.

A record number of cyclists (507) cyclists biked a total of 7,275 miles to the fair in 2008.

"Bicycling to the Common Ground Fair is a clean, 'green' and free way to travel," said Allison Vogt, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's executive director. "On a beautiful, fall day, it provides the perfect way to work up an appetite for some delicious fair food."

Those who live too far away to bike the whole way can park at a midway point and then hop on their bicycles. A map on the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Web site, www.BikeMaine.org, shows bicycle-friendly routes.

During the fair, the coalition offers an opportunity to try riding unusual bikes. There are mini-workshops on topics such as flat tire repair and bike commuting. Coalition volunteers also organize a colorful, human-powered vehicle parade each day of the fair.

All cyclists are directed to the fair's North or "Rose" Gate. Bikes are not allowed in the South Gate or on the fairgrounds. There are enough racks and volunteers to park up to 500 bicycles at one time.

Martin Perry to Give Concert to Benefit Maine’s No On 1/Protect Maine Equality Campaign

On October 4, Maine's No On 1 campaign will hold a benefit concert and reception at Studzinski Hall at Bowdoin College. The concert features pianist Martin Perry, who will lead audience members on a journey through American music from traditional ragtime and blues to contemporary works by Gershwin, Ives and Bolcom.

At 4 p.m. on the 4th, Perry will take the stage at Bowdoin to raise funds for the No On 1 campaign to protect Maine marriage equality. Tickets for the event are $50 and are available online at www.protectmaineequality.org/concert, or in person in Brunswick at Gulf of Maine Books or the Smith Student Union information desk on Bowdoin's campus; in Bath at Brick Store Antiques and I Must Have It; and in Yarmouth at Clayton's Café on Route 1.

Sponsorship opportunities for the fundraiser are available at three levels: the Sonata level starts at $250, Concerto at $500, and Symphony at $1,000. Sonata-level sponsors receive up to two tickets to the October 4 concert; Concertos, up to four tickets; and Symphonies, up to five tickets.

Perry, a graduate of the Juilliard School has distinguished himself as a masterful interpreter of contemporary American music. He has toured the US and abroad several times as soloist and orchestral appearances include the Moscow Philharmonic, Baltic Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Portland Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, and the Florida Philharmonic.
His performance at the Studzinski Recital Hall will be followed by a reception at Bowdoin's Moulton Union. For more information, visit www.ProtectMaineEquality.org.

About No On 1/Protect Maine Equality
NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality is a statewide, grassroots campaign defending the marriage equality law challenged by Question 1. Voting NO on Question 1 preserves the law that was enacted this Spring after thousands of Mainers testified before the Legislature. To contact the organization, visit www.protectmaineequality.org, email info@protectmaineequality.org, or call 207-899-1330.

Portland Symphony Orchestra Opens 85th Anniversary Season with Heroes and the American Dream, October 6

For the opening of the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO)'s 85th anniversary season, PSO Music Director Robert Moody leads the orchestra along with actors from Portland Stage Company in a program titled "Heroes and the American Dream" on Tuesday, October 6 at Merrill Auditorium.

The concert opens with Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" (Italian for "heroic"), originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte but retitled after the former revolutionary, so admired by Beethoven, had himself declared emperor. The symphony itself is the true revolutionary, more structurally complex and sophisticated than any that had come before, and known for its display of a great range of emotion.

The second half of the program features the Maine premiere of Ellis Island: The Dream of America, by composer Peter Boyer. Innovative in its format, the work brings elements of the theatre and multimedia into the concert hall, employing seven actors from Portland Stage Company and projected historical images from the Ellis Island archives. The spoken texts for the work come from the Ellis Island Oral History Project, an historic collection of interviews with immigrants about their experiences coming to America. Boyer fashioned short monologues from the actual words of these immigrants, and wove them into an orchestral tapestry which frames and comments on their stories$by turns poignant, humorous, moving, and inspiring. The work concludes with a reading of the Emma Lazarus poem "The New Colossus" ("Give me your tired, your poor…"), providing an emotionally powerful ending to this celebration of our nation of immigrants.

Sponsored by Gorham Savings Bank, "Heroes and the American Dream" will take place at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, at 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $20-$70 and are available through PortTix at (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Phone and internet orders are subject to $6-per-ticket handling fees. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 PM.

A Concert Conversation with Robert Moody and composer Peter Boyer precedes the performance at 6:15 PM and the concert will be followed by a PostConcert Q&A with the artists. A live recorded broadcast of the concert can be heard on Maine Public Broadcasting Network on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

Audience members are also invited to attend Afterglow, a new afterparty at Restaurant Grace immediately following all Tuesday Classical performances. Patrons can mingle with the artists while supporting the PSO, as Restaurant Grace will donate a portion of the evening's proceeds to the PSO.

Students in grades 5 and up are invited to attend the open dress rehearsal on Monday, October 5 at 7:30 PM. Dress rehearsals are free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Email education@portlandsymphony.com or call (207) 773-6128 ext. 308 for more information.

The PSO's 2009-10 season is sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories. For complete season information, including artist biographies; program notes; and Online Insights, provided with support from season Enrichment Sponsor Fairpoint Communications; visit www.portlandsymphony.com.

wepushbuttons: Electronic Music Festival Schedule

The following is the schedule of events for the upcoming wepushbuttons:Electronic Music Festival, happening Sept. 23 - 27 encompassing 11 shows at 7 venues in downtown Portland. This year marks the inaugural year for this festival, which WPB hopes to make an annual event. The WPB:EMF serves to gather the community around the festival's pinnacle event, the 3rd Annual WPB Awards.

Ranging from hip hop to dub to techno, the Awards honors the exemplars of their craft in Maine; the people who are pushing buttons in order to push the envelope and further not only themselves, but their music, and their musical community. Balloting ended Friday, Sept. 11, and the winners will be honored at the wepushbuttons Awards event on September 26th at Empire Dine and Dance.

Become a part of the exchange at www.wepushbuttons.com

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WEPUSHBUTTONS: ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Version 9.14.09 | subject to change and further developments)

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Weds. 9.23 - Slainte | Moshe's Birthday Party | 9pm | Free
Dubstep night featuring performances by Moshe, Moldy, Jonek@t, Elusid, and 32french. Vocal stylings by Josiah Scribes!

Weds. 9.23 - The Big Easy | Hip Hop Open Mic Special Presentation | 9pm | $5
Each and every Wednesday at the Big Easy is Hip Hop Open Mic Night. To help kick off the WPB:EMF, HHOM hosts Sandbag throw a special show featuring performances by Educated Advocates, Luch & Eliza, Labseven, Slouch & Adam B. After the showcases will be open mic until last call featuring live beats straight out the samplers from Shupe and Slouch & Adam. B.

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Thurs. 9/24 - Bubba's | Zodiac Party Revisited | 9pm | $3
Zodiac Party Revisited! A reunion of Zodiac Party proportions! Marcus Caine, Atomik, and Todd the Rocket form like Voltron for a sets of funky dancefloor-tuned house with live percussion. A rare occasion. And, of course, Libras get in for free!

Thurs. 9.24 - The White Heart | Beltek Presents | 9pm | Free
Join Beltek Festival founders special guests as they bring their party to Portland, continuing their celebration of another blockbuster festival year! Psydways, Seratto, KTF Terison.

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Fri. 9.25 - SPACE | Milled Pavement Showcase | 9:30pm | $5
Milled Pavement Showcase featuring Sandbag, Pentateuch, A-Frame & Mike Clouds, Brzowski.

Fri. 9.25 - Empire | Dance Party! | 9pm | $5
Sammy Bananas (Fool's Gold Records) returns to Portland after traveling the entire globe, having shared stages with anyone who's anyone in the world-class tier. Joined by one of Portland's most skilled DJ talents and an architect of underground party culture in this state, Popgirl23. Special guests? Perhaps.

Fri. 9.25 - The White Heart | 9pm | Free
brick.city.media Showcase: the secret weekend, Metris v. Vik44, Beatmo

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Sat. 9.26 - Maine Roller Derby Bout | Portland Expo | Doors at 5pm
hosted by Todd the Rocket & A-Frame

Sat. 9.26 - The White Heart | WPB Monthly Showcase Residency | 9pm | Free
While out to celebrate the Awards, make sure to come by the White Heart, where DJ Corbin, Stryknyne, and Marshall Law hold down the WPB monthly showcase.

Sat. 9.26 - Empire | wepushbuttons Awards Show | 8pm | $5
j.hjort, DJ Nicotine, DJ Graymatter, A-Frame & Mike Clouds, Miss Fairchild, White Jacket Collaborative, Sandbag, & more. Hosted by Todd the Rocket & A-Frame

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Sun. 9.27 - The White Heart | Recovery Brunch | Free
Downtown downtempo with Kid Ray, Tone Def, Todd the Rocket. A few mimosas and some eggs will make everything better.

Sun. 9.27 - The White Heart | Recovery Brunch | Free
Dowtown downtempo with Kid Ray, Tone Def, Todd the Rocket. A few mimosas and some eggs will make everything better.

Kindle - the Northern New England Bioneers conference - brings environmental, social, scientific, political and economic leaders to Portland Oct 16, 17

Diverse and world-renowned leaders - Andrew Weil, M.D., Michael Pollan, Alex Steed, Joanna Macy, Maude Barlow and Jerome Ringo # unveil solutions for healthcare reform, green jobs, green building and social justice

Kaleidoscope (www.kindledinme.com) is partnering with Bioneers (www.bioneers.org), a nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and the planet. Broadcast to over 18 locations nationwide, including Portland, Maine, the program provides a hub for people who are hungry for change and are working to make a real difference in their local communities.

"We have added an additional ingredient to this year's event: Bridging Millleniums and Boomers," said Ted Regan, curator of Kindle and founder of Kaleidoscope. "A gap between two generations: we no longer have the luxury to ignore this. It is imperative that we begin to pass the torch and to communicate effectively across the divide. In addition to seasoned change agents, you will hear from accomplished and visionary young adults sharing their projects, dreams, and aspirations."

The annual Bioneers Conference brings together networks of people passionate about solutions at the intersection of personal and planetary healing. Nearly 15 innovators from a variety of traditions and disciplines will spark local dialogue around issues effecting the nation, including healthcare reform, green jobs, food and farming, and social justice, providing a focal point for communities to come together around local solutions and take action.

Kaleidoscope is choosing to bring the annual Bioneers Conference to the citizens near Portland, Maine to give locals the tools and inspiration to be catalysts for change in their own community. This year Kindle has been built upon those components that past attendees enjoyed most: dynamic keynotes, insightful workshops, and heart-pounding entertainment. It has been relocated to the Downtown Arts District of Portland, Maine to reinforce the importance of community, and the primary sponsors this year include four local organizations: Institute for Humane Education (humaneeducation.org), Portland Permaculture (www.meetup.com/portlandpermaculture), Unity College (www.unity.edu), Cultivating Community (www.cultivatingcommunity.org).

Kindle features a phenomenal line-up of local, national and international speakers, engaging workshops, and enticing entertainment that will create yet another amazing in-person experience.

Registration and Admission:
Kindle: Northern New England Bioneers conference is open to the general public, but seating is limited and is expected to sell out early. The price of admission ranges from $70 to $225 per person and includes plenaries, workshops, Beaming speakers, breakout groups, Friday and Saturday night entertainment, access to the Food Passport,

For more information and to register for the Kindle: Northern New England Bioneers, visit www.kindledinme.com. For a full list of plenary speakers associated with the Beaming Bioneers program that will be broadcast live at the Kindle event, visit www.bioneers.org/conference.

Call to Artists: L/A Arts Winter Light Holiday Art Exhibit

L/A Arts invites area artists to submit up to 4 pieces of artwork, fine craft, or jewelry to the upcoming Winter Light exhibit, an art show and sale that will celebrate the approaching holiday season.

December is a month of limited daylight, with the Winter Solstice being the shortest day of the year. While the lack of sunlight during these short days is linked to the "winter blues" for some, ways can be found to revitalize the spirit: art can be one of the most powerful cures for a low spirit.

December is also a traditional time of cultural gatherings and gift sharing, a time to look forward to during the dark days of winter, when connections with family and friends are reinforced.

Creativity is a light that can illuminate the world around us. Making works of art, and appreciating the art of others, are ways to create our own light which can be shared. Traditional midwinter celebrations incorporate bright light and fires, dancing, singing, and feasting as a way of combating winter gloom or celebrating this special season. By turning to outlets which let us express creative energy, we can bring brilliance to the darkest days of the year.

Once again this holiday exhibit will feature in both L/A Arts Gallery 5 (49 Lisbon Street, Lewiston) and Community Gallery (221 Lisbon Street Lewiston). The exhibit will run from Friday, November 6 through Saturday, December 19, with special open houses and holiday hours to make purchasing art as convenient as possible. Participating artists are encouraged to take a turn staffing one of the spaces and make connections with those who would share in their artistic creations.

The deadline for submission is Sunday, October 11. Work must be submitted as JPEG images on a CD, to be delivered to the L/A Arts office at 221 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. This exhibit will be juried and artists will be notified of selections. A submission form and guidelines is available on L/A Arts website, www.laarts.org, for artists interested in participating and more information can be obtained by contacting L/A Arts at 782-7228 or Gallery Curator Jeanelle Demers at gallery5@laarts.org.

City Theater Associates selects new Artistic Director

City Theater Associates has announced the appointment of Linda Sturdivant to the position of Artistic Director.

Sturdivant is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, with degrees in theater and education. She has worked as a freelance director for a number of community theaters including City Theater, Portland Players and the Schoolhouse Arts Center. She served on the board of directors for the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association including 3 terms as president.

Sturdivant lives in Standish with her husband Peter. After 14 years as a classroom teach she now works part time with her husband in their cellular phone business. Her oldest daughter, Sara, is a professional singer traveling between Maine and New York. She will be making her Carnegie Hall debut this fall. Her youngest daughter, Cassandra, is pursuing a master degree in Library Science at Simmons College in Boston.

Sturdivant started directing for City Theater in 2007. Her first show was the successful musical 1940's Radio Hour. Other shows include Grand Night for Singing and Almost Maine. This past summer she directed the critically acclaimed musical Blood Brothers. She is busy right now rehearsaling for the 1940's musical review Swingtime Canteen opening October 16th.

"We are thrilled that Linda decided to join City Theater Associates as our Artistic Director" says Debbie Litalien, president of the CTA board. "She brings such creativity and energy to her productions; you know that any show that she is involved in will be an unforgettable experience."

"City Theater has a remarkable reputation for producing quality community theater in a beautiful space." says Sturdivant. "I look forward to continuing that tradition. We have a very exciting seasoned planned for next year. There will something for everyone whether you want to be onstage, backstage or in the audience."

Biddeford coffee shop welcomes students

Biddeford's new coffee shop, Buzz, won the scavenger hunt recently sponsored by the Heart of Biddeford for UNE resident assistants. The winning team chose their favorite downtown business and presented the owner, Dan Adams, with a prize of $100.

Located in the lobby of North Dam Mill, Buzz features coffee, espresso, locally baked pastries, and fresh fruit smoothies. The mill is located at 2 Main Street just before the bridge to Saco Island.

Now serving Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. # 4 p.m., Adams, 34, hopes to expand his hours in the fall. With UNE students in mind, he plans to orchestrate events in the lobby, which is a good size for friendly gatherings. Meanwhile, you can bring your laptop and tune into free wi-fi. Adams learned the coffee trade at various coffee houses from New York to L.A.

"I wanted to settle in a small city with a great community," he said. "And I think Biddeford is the perfect spot."

Doug Sanford who developed the mill agrees. "Biddeford has great architecture, a university, and we're on the ocean," he said. "These mills are going to be the renaissance."

Sanford, president of Eastland Construction and Development, thinks the mill's success is due to the many things that are happening here. The ground and first floors are dedicated to businesses including a gym, pizza shop, craftsmen, and even a nut roaster. The upper floors contain 49 apartments # all of which are filled. But there was no place to get a good cup of coffee. Sanford was looking for someone like Adams to make it happen.

"We love Dan," he said. "He's unflappable."

National call for artists: Drawn to Maine...at Freeport Square

Are you an artist who has been inspired by Maine # the light, air, vistas?

This is your chance to show your artwork on Main St in Freeport. We are having a show in October including artists from away. The artwork needs to fit into one of the flat rate boxes from the post office. In choosing your art, think "within the box". Show us your art inspired by Maine or made in Maine. We are open to flat and dimensional work # it just needs to fit the box!

All requirements are on the PDF "Drawn to Maine" under FORMS www.freeportsquare.com

Maine Brewers’ Guild will mark new “Growler Bill” on Saturday, September 12

A new bill which allows local brew pubs to sell "growlers" -- half-gallon jugs -- goes into effect Saturday, September 12. This bill, LD 904 # An Act to Permit Brew Pubs to Sell Half-gallon Containers of Malt Liquor, was sponsored by Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth. Prior to passage of this bill, brew pubs were required to have a retail store in order to sell growlers.

The Maine Brewers' Guild and Rep. Smith will mark this historic date by pouring the first growler at Federal Jack's Restaurant and Brew Pub at 11:30am on Saturday, September 12 at 8 Western Ave. in Kennebunk.
This new legislation was inspired by Geoff Houghton, owner of The Liberal Cup in Hallowell and spearheaded by Rep. Smith.

"It's about buying local," she said. "And this was one basic step the legislature could take to help Maine businesses offer more local products. This bill makes it affordable and feasible for Maine brew pubs to sell half-gallon jugs right from their facility."

Maine Brewers' Guild president Fred Forsley noted "this bill is a benefit not only to Mainers but to visitors who want to take a little piece of Maine home with them, especially if that local Maine beer cannot be found in their home state."

Simply put, a growler is a glass jug that holds a half-gallon of freshly brewed beer that customers take home and can bring back for refills. Why it's called a growler is a topic of historical debate. One theory is that in the late 1800s when fresh beer was carried home in a pail from the local pub, the beer sloshed around in the pail and created a "growling" sound as the CO2 escaped through the lid.

This bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Connor of Kennebunk, Rep. Fitts of Pittsfield, Sen. Nutting of Androscoggin, Sen. Plowman of Penobscot, Rep. Pratt of Eddington, Sen. Simpson of Androscoggin, Sen. Sullivan of York, Rep. Trinward of Waterville, and Rep. Valentino of Saco.

For more information about this bill, please follow this link: http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280031668

Photos from the bill signing by Maine Governor John E. Baldacci can be found at this link: http://shipyardbrewingcompany.blogspot.com/2009/05/get-ready-for-growlers.html

The Maine Brewers' Guild is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the craft brewed industry in Maine. Since 1986, Maine has been at the forefront of the craft brew movement. The state is home to nearly 20 breweries which produce more than 100 different brands. The mission of the Guild is to keep Maine in the forefront of the craft brew movement.

More information about the Maine Brewers' Guild can be found at this link: www.mainebrewersguild.org

Acorn Productions plans twelfth edition of the Phyzgig Vaudeville Festival

The family-oriented event will once again take place between Christmas and New Year's Eve, expanding to the Acorn Studio Theater in Westbrook.

Acorn Productions 12th annual Phyzgig festival, a celebration of physical comedy and variety entertainment for the family, will take place in downtown Portland between Christmas and New Year's Eve 2009.  The week will begin with an adult-oriented cabaret show at SPACE Gallery on December 26th, and continue through the week with 5 mainstage vaudeville shows at the Portland Performing Arts Center, and 7 Phyzkidz shows at SPACE Gallery. 

New this season is a the addition of 2 Phyzkidz shows in Westbrook at the new Acorn Studio Theater.  Acorn Productions is still receiving applications from performers wishing to appear at Phyzgig, and the company has already received a number of diverse proposals from artists all over the country. Over its first 11 years, Phyzgig has evolved into a well-known event that attracts audience members from throughout the region to Portland each holiday season, and the 2009 edition promises to feature more new performers than ever before.

Over the next month, Phyzgig's Artistic Director Avner Eisenberg (Avner the Eccentric) and Acorn's Producing Director Michael Levine will select 10 to 12 performers for Phyzgig 2009.  As audiences have come to expect, these entertainers will create a full-blown week of zany insanity, featuring clowning, juggling, magic, slapstick humor, and other acts that defy classification.  The event not only offers Portland audiences a rare look at form of entertainment with a rich and honored tradition, but has also helped to put Maine on the map as a state that nurtures the spirit of vaudeville.  Phyzgig features three types of performances:  Phyzkidz shows take place at SPACE Gallery and feature 3 performers in a format and venue designed for younger audience members, mainstage variety shows showcase 4 performers and the live Phyzgig band, appealing to audiences of all ages, while the cabaret show consists of 4 artists offering sophisticated humor for m ore mature audiences.

Phyzgig is presented by Acorn Productions, an organization dedicated to nurturing and developing the performing arts community in Southern Maine.  Although the festival continues to showcase the work of performers from around the country, the focus continues to be on Maine artists who trained with the famed master of mime Tony Montanaro at the Celebration Barn Theatre in South Paris, Maine.  Tickets for Phyzgig cost between $8 and $18 depending on the show and are currently on sale for all performances.  Call Acorn Productions at 854-0065 or visit www.phyzgig.org.

CALENDAR INFORMATION

What: Phyzgig
When: December 26 # 31, 2009
Who: Acorn Productions
Where: Portland Performing Arts Center, SPACE Gallery, and Acorn Studio Theater
How Much: $6 to $18, depending on the performance
FMI: 854-0065 or www.phyzgig.org

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

CABARET SHOW
Saturday, December 26 at 8:30 p.m.
SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., downtown Portland
Tickets $14 adults, $12 students and seniors, $10 kids twelve and under
 
PHYZKIDS PORTLAND
Sunday, December 27 at 2 p.m.
Monday, December 28 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 29 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., downtown Portland
Tickets $14 adults, $12 students and seniors, $10 kids twelve and under

PHYZKIDS WESTBROOK
Monday, December 28 at noon
Tuesday, December 29 at noon
Acorn Studio Theater, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge St., downtown Westbrook
Tickets $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, $8 kids twelve and under

MAINSTAGE SHOWS
Monday, December 28 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 29 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 31 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Portland Performing Arts Center, 25A Forest Avenue, downtown Portland
Tickets $18 adults, $14 students and seniors, $12 kids twelve and under

Star Dome astronomy class - enrollment open

STAR DOME ASTRONOMY
September 22, 2009
Tuesday evenings 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Six weeks
$50.00 Enrollment ($35.00 - members)

Have you always wanted to learn astronomy but had no idea how to start? Do you admire the sky and wonder exactly what lurks within that darkness? Does the notion of understanding the cosmos and all its sundry wonders appeal to you? Or, most importantly, do you want to impress that certain somebody with your comprehensive knowledge of the night sky? (Let's face it: that's the real reason we geeky types went into astronomy in the first place. To the devil with cosmic curiosity.)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the Southworth Planetarium invites you to enroll in our fun introductory astronomy course. Are you not sure this is for you? Remember, we assume you have no previous astronomy knowledge. (Well, we'll assume that you know that you live in a Universe of some sort and you're rather certain you could locate the sky given enough time.) Each class includes a session in our star dome theater, so you can learn astronomy among the stars themselves.

We cover the basics: finding the north star; determining sky directions; reading star charts; finding constellations. We also go a bit far afield: discovering how stars work, how planets move, and how we believe this whole mad catastrophe of the Universe started. Constellations to cosmology and everything in between is the focus of this fantastic -if we do say so, ourselves- beginning astronomy course.
The math is scant, but the stars are plentiful. Weather permitting, we'll venture outside after at least one class to observe the actual sky.
(The light pollution is not as blinding in Portland as some think. Well, it's not Las Vegas, anyway.)

To enroll or to ask questions, please call 207-780-4249 or send an e-mail egleason@usm.maine.edu.

Yes, you may register at the first class. You may also register in advance and pay on the first class day.

DISCOVER YOUR UNIVERSE!

Fifth Annual Caviar Dinner Presented by Eve’s at the Garden, Portland Harbor Hotel and Browne Trading Company, October 23

Eve's at the Garden and the Portland Harbor Hotel, along with partner Browne Trading Company, will present their fifth annual "Caviar Dinner," featuring exclusive caviars from around the world. The extravagant multi-course dinner, prepared by Eve's new executive chef Earl Morse, will showcase caviars including American spoonbill, Calvisius Italian White Sturgeon and Descieta Osetra and select wines will be paired with each course.

The Caviar Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. with a champagne reception; dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $95 per person; seating is limited. Reservations may be made by calling (207) 775-9090.

Browne Trading Company has long been recognized as one of the leaders in selecting the world's best caviars; guests at the dinner will have an opportunity to learn about the unique characteristics of caviar while sampling a range of some of the finest available. Rod Browne Mitchell, caviar connoisseur and owner of Browne Trading Company, will lead the evening with an expert introduction to the caviars. This event is perfect for caviar aficionados and curious "foodies" wanting to learn more about the celebrated culinary delicacy.

Portland Harbor Hotel is offering a room and dinner package during the caviar event for guests interested in spending the night. When calling to purchase tickets to the Caviar Dinner, interested parties should inquire about room package options and availability with the reservationist.

College of the Atlantic hosts food systems conference

"Food for Thought, Time for Action" connects experts in sustainable
food Oct. 2-4

Food may be the essence of life, but so much of it has
been taken out of our control that many find themselves longing for a
more simplified food system: for local, sustainable methods of raising
and distributing our basic nourishment. And yet there are numerous
complications to regaining control of our sustenance. To address some of
these issues, College of the Atlantic is hosting the conference: "Food
for Thought, Time for Action: Sustainable food, farming and fisheries
for the 21st century." From Oct. 2 through 4, some of the best
thinkers on sustainable food systems will unite with many of Maine's
most avid practitioners in a forum open to the public.

Among the keynote speakers will be Raj Patel, author of "Stuffed and
Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System," and Marion
Nestle, author of the James Beard Award-winning "What to Eat," and
the seminal 2002 work, "Food Politics: How the Food Industry
Influences Nutrition and Health." On Friday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., Patal
will speak on "The Real Price of Food." Nestle will speak on "What
to Eat: Personal Responsibility or Social Responsibility?" at 7:30
p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

"Sustainable food and farming systems are a vital part of the
solution to many pressing global and local issues: climate change,
hunger, obesity and the viability of small businesses and rural
communities," says Heather Albert-Knopp, conference organizer, COA
alumna, and administrator of the college's Sustainable Food Systems
Program. "COA students and alumni will be among those on the frontline
of this movement."

Participants will discuss such topics as: What policies will encourage
good nutrition and help farms, fisheries and sustainable food systems
thrive? How can alternative marketing benefit small-scale farmers and
fishermen? What can we learn from our partners abroad that will help
Maine and the United States prepare for the future? Additional sessions
will cover such current Maine issues as dairy and seafood certification,
community food security, raising sustainable grains, and more. Together,
participants and presenters will envision steps to a sustainable future.
With fishermen on most panels, the conference offers an unusual
opportunity to share information between the farming and fishing
communities.

Keynote speaker Patel is a visiting scholar at the Center for African
Studies at the University of California at Berkeley and a fellow at the
Food First Institute of Food and Development Policy in Oakland, CA. He
has just returned from two years at the Centre for Civil Society at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where he is a research
associate. He holds a PhD from Cornell University's Department of
Development Sociology, an MA from the London School of Economics, and a
BA in philosophy, politics and economics from Balliol College, Oxford.

Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of
Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University, where
she also teaches sociology, as well as a visiting professor of
Nutritional Sciences at Cornell. She holds a PhD in molecular biology
and a MPH in public health nutrition, both from UC Berkeley. Her
research examines scientific, economic and social influences on food
choice. Other books include the 2003 "Safe Food: Bacteria,
Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism," and the 2008 "Pet Food Politics:
The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine." Nestle writes the Food Matters column
for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Among the conference speakers are John Piotti of Maine Farmland Trust,
Angelika Ploeger of the University of Kassel, Germany, Lawrence Woodward
of the United Kingdom's Organic Research Centre, Russell Libby of the
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Roger Doiron of Kitchen
Gardeners International, Eliot Coleman of Four Season Farm, Marada Cook
of Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative and Carly DelSignore of Tide Mill
Farm.

COA has recently launched a Trans-Atlantic Partnership in Sustainable
Food Systems with Kassel's Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences
and the UK's Organic Research Centre. The European institutions are
co-hosting the conference with COA. Support is provided by the Partridge
Foundation.

To celebrate the conference, the Ethel H. Blum Gallery is mounting
"Food for Thought, Time for Action," an art exhibit curated by
Maine Farmland Trust. Among the artists will be Bridget Besaw, Doiron,
Kathleen Florance, COA alumna Kate Gatski, Holly Meade and Robert
Shetterly. The opening reception is Friday, Oct. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Registration for the full conference is $100; $70 for non-COA students
and COA alumni. Meals are extra. For a schedule and registration
information, visit www.coa.edu/foodforthought, or call organizer Heather
Albert-Knopp at 207-288-2944, ext. 354.

September 17 Event to Benefit and Celebrate New Trail at Portland’s Fort Allen Park

Friends of the Eastern Promenade and Portland Trails are hosting an event on Thursday, Sept. 17, to celebrate and raise money for the Fort Allen Park Trail on Portland's East End.

A benefit reception will be held from 5-6 p.m. at Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad at 58 Fore Street, with proceeds to go toward plantings around the newly built Fort Allen Park Trail. Tickets start at $20 and admission includes wine, beer, and light hors d'oeuvres. Advance registration is necessary for the benefit; tickets are available by calling 1-800-838-3006 or visiting www.friendsofeasternpromenade.org.

Following the benefit, there will be a community celebration from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Fort Allen Park gazebo, open free for the public. Along with big-band music by Big Chief, speakers will commemorate the completion of the new Fort Allen Trail. Vendors from Spartan Grill and Island Cow will be selling falafels, gyros and ice cream.

With construction finished earlier this summer, the new Fort Allen Trail connects Fort Allen Park with the Eastern Promenade Trail and has been well received on Portland's East End. The set of 40 granite steps provides a safer, more attractive replacement for a rough, steep bushwhacked path carved out by feet over the years. The project was a collaborative effort between Friends of the Eastern Promenade, Portland Trails, the City of Portland, and Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad.

While a $25,000 grant paid for trail construction, extra funds are needed for plantings that will dress up the trail and hold soil in place on the steep bank. Volunteers are needed for a planting day on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, email info@friendsofeasternpromenade.org.

FRIENDS OF THE EASTERN PROMENADE is a community organization committed to preserving the park's significant historic public landscape, protecting its environmental integrity and enhancing recreational use. Learn more at www.friendsofeasternpromenade.org.

PORTLAND TRAILS is a member-supported land trust dedicated to building and maintaining a network of multi-use trails in Greater Portland. To learn more, visit www.trails.org.

Camden International Film Festival Announces Full Schedule of Films October 1-4

The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) announced its full slate of films for the Festival taking place October 1 # 4 throughout Camden, Rockport and Rockland, Maine. The 2009 CIFF will present 55 films from all across the globe. Films were selected from over 250 submissions and the festival will proudly host 3 World Premieres, 2 US Premieres, 3 East Coast Premieres and 7 New England Premieres. Now in its fifth year, CIFF presents a snapshot of the cultural landscape through the year's best non-fiction storytelling, connecting filmmakers and industry representatives with audiences to discuss documentary film as an art form, a catalyst for change and as an outlet for the independent voice.

"This year's Camden International Film Festival is a celebration of non-fiction storytelling told from some of the most recognized artists working in the medium, as well as some emerging voices that are making their mark in this ever growing world of documentary film," say Benjamin Fowlie, the festival's founder and director. "CIFF is honored to share this dynamic and unique program with our audiences in such an intimate environment."

Virtually every film will be accompanied by a post screening Q&A by the film's director or producer. The festival will also host the inaugural POINTS NORTH Documentary Film Forum, an event for filmmakers to connect with industry leaders and major funders in the documentary community. In total, nearly forty industry representatives and filmmakers will be in attendance over the course of the four day event.

CIFF 2009 FEATURES

ANIMAS PERDIDAS (LOST SOULS)
Monika Navarro, USA, 2008, 57mins East Coast Premiere
A young Latina filmmaker chronicles the emotional journey of her uncle, a military vet deported to Mexico, and uncovers the secrets of her family's past.

A CHEMICAL REACTION
Brett Plymale, USA, 2009, 80mins US Premiere
Canada has spoken and toxic lawn and garden pesticides are now banned in most of the nation. A Chemical Reaction examines how Hudson, Quebec, became the first town in North America to ban these products and inspired hundreds of others to follow suit.

BEAUTY OF THE FIGHT
John Urbano, USA / Panama, 2009, 69mins
A powerful and beautifully photographed film that explores the effects of historic realities on two Panama barrios (neighborhoods), Barraza and El Chorrillo who suffered heavy losses when US forces invaded in 1989.

BECAUSE WE WERE BORN (Puisque Nous Sommes Nés)
Jean Pierre Duret, France / Brazil, 2008, 90mins US Premiere
Follows two young teenage boys who hang out at a service station in Pernambouc in the poor northeast of Brazil, watching trucks and travelers and hearing stories about a wider world they can only dream of.

CONVENTION (Opening Night Film)
AJ Schnack, USA, 2009, 93mins New England Premiere
AJ Schnack assembles an all-star crew of documentary filmmakers to tell the story behind the mounting of one of the biggest events of the decade: the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

CRUDE
Joel Berlinger, USA, 104mins
Three years in the making, this cinéma-vérité feature from acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger is the epic story of one of the largest and most controversial environmental lawsuits on the planet. The inside story of the infamous "Amazon Chernobyl" case, Crude is a real-life high stakes legal drama, set against a backdrop of the environmental movement, global politics, celebrity activism, human rights advocacy, the media, multinational corporate power, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures

CRUDE INDEPENDENCE
Noah Hutton, USA, 71 mins
A compelling new documentary about the booming town of Stanley North Dakota, sitting atop the largest oil discovery in North American history.

EARTH DAYS (Closing Night Film)
Robert Stone, USA, 101mins
Looks back to the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement$ from its post-war rustlings in the 1950s and the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson's incendiary bestseller Silent Spring, to the first wildly successful 1970 Earth Day celebration and the subsequent firestorm of political action.

THE END OF THE LINE
Ruppert Murray, UK, 2009, 90mins
Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act. The End of the Line is the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans.

THE FISH BELONG TO THE PEOPLE
Will Hyler, USA, 2009, mins World Premiere
In Port Clyde, Maine one of the last remaining fleet of family ground fishermen struggles as they develop a sustainable stewardship with the fishery in order to save their generations long way of life against counter productive government regulations and unfair markets that threaten to push them out of business forever.

GARBAGE DREAMS
Mai Iksander, USA, 90mins
Follows three teenage boys born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, on the outskirts of Cairo. It is the home to 60,000 Zaballeen, Arabic for "garbage people," who survive by recycling 80 percent of the garbage they collect. When their community is suddenly faced with the globalization of its trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.

INVISIBLE GIRLFRIEND
David Redmon / Ashley Sabin, USA, 2009, 70mins
Charles, a diagnosed bipolar paranoid schizophrenic, goes on a Quixotic journey through Louisiana on a big red bicycle, with by his invisible girlfriend Joan of Arc, to deliver a candle to a woman he admires.

THE LANGUAGE OF AMERICA
Ben Levine, USA, 2009, 81mins
Three Native American families from different New England tribes journey back into nature and into a dream of a time when words had meanings so big they could not be translated into English. As they unravel the secret of the survival of their 9,000 year old culture, they confront the power of a lie that Americans have yet to question.

MINE
Geralyn Pezanoski, USA, 2009, 83mins
A powerful story about the essential bond between humans and animals told against the backdrop of one of the worst disasters in modern US History.

OCTOBER COUNTRY
Donal Mosher and Michael Palmieri, USA, 2009, 80mins New England Premiere
A beautifully rendered portrait of an American family struggling for stability while haunted by the ghosts of war, teen pregnancy, foster care and child abuse. This vibrant and intimate documentary examines the forces that unsettle the working poor and the violence that lurks beneath the surface of American life.

THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS
Patrick Shen, USA, 2009, 70mins
THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS is a documentary film about the kind of wisdom that gets you through the day # the wisdom that comes from surviving hard times, lost loves, shattered dreams, and bad choices. The film goes deep into the most well-respected and prestigious universities to seek wisdom from the people who see it all and have been through it all # the janitors.

P-STAR RISING
Gabriel Noble, USA, 2009, 80mins New England Premiere
A documentary film about a single-father who is determined that his 9-year old daughter become a rap star and thus redeem his deferred dream. We follow the father-daughter duo for four intimate years through the grit and glamour of the music industry, the struggles of being a single dad with no means, and the sacrifices a child makes in order to make her daddy proud.

PULLING JOHN
Vassiliki Khonsari, Sevan Matossian, Navid Khonsari, USA, 2009, 72mins New England Premiere
A feature length vérité documentary shot over four years, witnesses the mythical world of arm-wrestling where 2 titans battle in pursuit of a living god.

RACING DREAMS
Marshall Curry, USA, 2009, 97mins New England Premiere
A vérité documentary film following the lives of three young racers as they compete in the World Karting Association's National Pavement Series. Clocking speeds up to 70 mph, Brandon Warren (13), Josh Hobson (12) and Annabeth Barnes (11) chase the National Champion title--and take one step closer toward their dream of someday racing in NASCAR.

RISE UP
Luciano Blotto, Jamaica/USA, 2009, 88mins New England Premiere
Journey into the heart of Jamaica, the island that gave birth to the worldwide cultural phenomenon of Reggae. In a society where talent abounds and opportunity is scarce, three distinct and courageous artists fight to rise up from obscurity and write themselves into the pages of history.

THE RIVALS
Kirk Wolfinger, USA, 2009, 91mins
High School football in small towns all across America can bring a community together, and in some cases, pit one community against another. The Rivals is the story of two towns in Maine, a stagnant mill town to the north and an affluent suburb along the southern coast... a story about the pride of place, the passion of tradition and the careful balance... between success and respect.

SHOOTING BEAUTY
George Kachadorian, USA, 2009, 62mins
Aspiring fashion photographer named Courtney Bent's career takes an unexpected turn when she discovers true beauty in a truly unexpected place-- at a center for people living with significant cerebral palsy and other disabilities. When she begins inventing cameras her new friends can use, the photographs expose an unforgettable story that will make you rethink what it means to live with a disability-- and without one.

SNOWBLIND
Vikram Jayanti, UK, 2008, 87mins, East Coast Premiere
Rachael Scdoris is 23, and has been legally blind since birth. She's racing in her third Iditarod, the grueling 1,100 mile dog sled race in Alaska # the toughest race in the world. This film follows her for the year leading up to the race, as she trains herself and her team of dogs for the epic ordeal of Iditarod 2008, fifteen days of ice and exhaustion and danger # and exhilaration.

SONS OF A GUN
Rivkah Beth Medow, Greg O'Toole, USA, 2009, 74mins, East Coast Premiere
Lance, Craig, and Ubaldo live with schizophrenia. They also live with Larry their alcoholic caregiver / "dad". And even though none of them is related by blood, they've lived together as a family for 20 years. The documentary follows this unique family as they get evicted, move into a cramped motel room, joke around, and scramble to find a new home before self-destructing.

WHAT'S ORGANIC ABOUT ORGANIC?
Shelley Rogers, USA, 2009, mins Work in Progress
WHAT'S ORGANIC ABOUT "ORGANIC?" delves into the debates that arise when a grassroots agricultural movement evolves into a booming international market. As the film moves from farm fields to government meetings to industry trade shows, we see the hidden costs of conventional agriculture.

POINTS NORTH Documentary Film Forum
Crafted for the New England filmmaking community, this forum is free and open to the public. POINTS NORTH will take place on Friday, October 2nd and will consist of two sections: A NEW WORLD: NON-FICTION FILM FUNDING, TRENDS AND PLAYERS with a round table of industry veterans and funders presenting the current funding process, trends and players. This will be followed by THE SURVIVOR'S GUIDE - a panel of filmmakers discussing "sustainable" filmmaking, DIY distribution and offering tips on how to make a living as a filmmaker in this unique economic climate. Panelists will include top doc filmmakers drawn from this year's festival as well as some CIFF alums.

Sponsored in part by the LEF Foundation, POINTS NORTH provides attendees an opportunity to connect with industry leaders in an environment conducive to discussion. For more details on speakers and timing visit www.camdenfilmfest.org.

ABOUT CIFF
Committed to supporting and generating interest in independent documentary films, the annual festival presents a snapshot of the cultural landscape through the year's best non-fiction storytelling. The weekend also consists of a number of panels, photographic exhibits, musical performances and parties.

The 5th Annual Camden International Film Festival will take place October 1-4, 2009, screening over fifty films, both features and shorts in venues throughout Midcoast Maine. Premiere sponsors include Down East Magazine, MovieMaker Magazine, Camden National Bank, the University of Maine, Unity College and Paolina's Way.

For more information on the festival, the full schedule, or information on passes visit www.camdenfilmfest.org.

Small towns, big films.

Maine Ambassadors of Food and Drink Food and Drink Certificate Classes

Maine Ambassadors of Food and Drink Food and Drink spent the summer fine-tuning the curriculum for the fall season of food and drink certificate classes. The course is highly interactive, exploring the tastes, aromas, textures and history of 8 major groups of Maine-made food:

Cheese and Dairy
Bread and Water
Seafood
Fruits and Vegetables
Meat, Eggs and other protein
Maine Foodways
Oils, herbs, spices and condiments
Beer, Wine, Mead and Spirits

Upcoming sessions include Tuesday mornings 9:30 to noon at Black Cherry Provisions in Falmouth and one on Thursday evenings from 7 to 930 at Old Port Wine Merchants on Commercial Street, beginning September 24.

Courses consist of 4 class sessions and a fifth session/graduation gathering at a local restaurant. 

The cost of the program is $175 dollars and includes course materials and food and drink samples during the class sessions. It does not include the price of dinner at the fifth session.   Class size is limited to 10 participants.

The course is led by traveler and food writer Margo Mallar, whose interest in the history and cultural traditions surrounding food began at the age of 3 when she was given a date straight from a palm tree in the yard of the Libyan villa where her Air Force father was posted.  Several decades, dozens of countries and countless meals later, she explores the delights and complexity of Maine food, given our geography, history and economic structure.  She will be joined by several guest presenters, Maine food specialists in their own right.

For more information or to sign up contact Maineambassadors@gmail.com or call 207.712.5864.  

Howie Day to Release New Album at Scarborough Bull Moose In-store Concert, September 8

Singer-songwriter Howie Day, a native of Bangor best known for his hit singles "Collide" and "She Says", celebrates the release of his new CD on September 8 with a live in-store concert at the Scarborough Bull Moose (456 Payne Road) at 6:00 p.m. Day will be available to meet fans and sign copies of his new album, Sound the Alarm, after the concert.

Day's third full-length album, Sound the Alarm, is being released on September 8, the day he plays at the Scarborough Bull Moose. His last full-length album Stop All The World Now was certified gold in early 2005. The hit single "Collide" from that album was featured on TV shows such as Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and One Tree Hill. Known to be a prolific touring artist, Day toured for five years straight before the release of Stop All The World Now and for another three nonstop years after it came out.

Although free and open to the public, space is limited for the special in-store event with Howie Day on September 8. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. that day Bull Moose will give away wristbands to customers who purchase a copy of Day's new CD Sound the Alarm in their Scarborough store. A wristband guarantees a spot at the in-store concert that evening at 6:00 p.m. Fans will be allowed entrance until space is filled.

The Portland, Maine Dyke March committee is seeking new members

Even though Summer is coming to an end, the Dyke March Committee is looking forward to the beautiful days of fall and starting to get excited about Dyke March events throughout the fall and winter.  We're also starting to think about Portland Dyke March 2010!

The Committee is also looking for new members.  The "application" to join the committee appears below.

And save the date: Dyketoberfest! on Friday, October 16th at the North Star Music Cafe

The Portland Dyke March Committee has been made up of 5 self-identified dykes.  Two of our members have stepped down and we are seeking new people to work with us. The Portland Dyke March Committee is fairly limited in number and recognizes that we won't always visually represent the wide range of our community. We are seeking committee members who understand the complexity of Portland area dykes and the people who love them and is mindful of our mission to be positive, feminist, diverse and community driven. Self-identified dykes preferred.

The Portland Dyke March's mission statement is as follows:
The mission of the Portland, Maine Dyke March is to create an empowering movement that fosters community and celebration for dykes and the people who love them.  The Portland Dyke March seeks to be positive, feminist, diverse, and community-driven in all of its endeavors.  We welcome anyone with a past or present connection to the dyke community.

We are currently committed to this statement as the basis of all our event planning.  We ask that any new committee members understand and commit themselves to being guided by our mission statement.

Planning, organizing, and running the Portland Dyke March is exciting and fun, but it can be time consuming.  If you are interested in becoming a member, there are very specific time commitments we ask you make:

      July-November                                    1 meeting/month, 1-2 events

      December- April                                 2 meetings/month, 1 event per month

      May- June                                           2-3 meetings/month, 2-3 events per month

You must absolutely be available for the Portland Dyke March itself, Friday, June 18th, 2010 from 5PM until 1AM on Saturday, June 19th.  If you cannot meet these time commitments, please consider helping out as a volunteer by contacting us at portlanddykemarch@gmail.com.

If you are interested in joining the Portland Dyke March Committee, please answer any/all of the questions below (and please provide your contact information # phone number, email address, etc), and email the answers to portlanddykemarch@gmail.com.  Submissions must be received by September 17th, 2009.

1)      Please discuss what dyke identity means to you, as well as discussing any other identities that are significant to you personally.

2)      Please describe why you would like to work on the Portland Dyke March, and let us know what you would bring to the planning process.  Please include any relevant experience that you have.

3)      We are interested to hear how you describe your personality.  Feel free to include zodiac signs, Meyer-Briggs test results, personal history antecdotes, etc.

4)      How do you deal with conflict resolution, difficult situations/personalities, and stress?

5)      What is your vision for the future of the Portland Dyke March?

6)      How would you describe your politics?  What political positions/opinions play a significant role in your life?

7)      Is there anything else you would like us to know about you that has not been covered in any previous question (including special skills, talents, creativity, life experience, etc).

Call of the Coast: 2009 Portland Museum of Art Auction

Call of the Coast: 2009 Portland Museum of Art Auction slated for Saturday, September 26
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75.00
Location: Holiday Inn By the Bay
Doors Open at 5 p.m.

27 Live Auction Items. Enter to win a $10,000 cash raffle!
Only 300 tickets will be sold. Raffle tickets: $100 each.
For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, call (207) 775-6148, ext. 3244.
Support Museum exhibitions and educational programming by inviting your friends and family to join you at a table of eight for this evening of fun, food, and shopping. Auctioneer Tom Saturley and Master of Ceremonies Bill Green of WCSH 6's Bill Green's Maine will be our special guests. Invitations were mailed in late August.

To buy tickets: http://www.portlandmuseum.org

Naked Shakespeare takes to the streets with a performance in Monument Square

Audience members are encouraged to show their support for the company's monthly performances at the Wine Bar in Portland

Acorn Productions announces that the 2009/10 season of Naked Shakespeare events begins on Monday, September 21 at 6 p.m. with a "Sonnet and Soliloquies" performance in Monument Square in Portland. 

Recently displaced from the Wine Bar on Wharf Street, the company's monthly venue for the past 3 seasons, Naked Shakespeare actors will re-create the ambience of the Wine Bar under a canopy in the centrally-located Portland park, where audience members will experience "Sonnets and Soliloquies Greatest Hits," a compilation of 16 speeches and 2 short scenes delivered by Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble actors.  

The more formal performance will be preceded by a series of roving sonneteers who will deliver their pieces in an intimate style to one table at a time.  Audience members are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy wine and appetizers during this portion of the evening.  The performance is free with a $10 suggested donation requested to support the work of Naked Shakespeare.

"Sonnets and Soliloquies Greatest Hits" is scheduled to coincide with a meeting of the Portland City Council at which they may consider a variance to the ordinance that prohibits the Wine Bar from receiving an entertainment license for Naked Shakespeare performances.  Since the company's inception in 2004, Naked Shakespeare has continually offered free performances at both traditional and non-traditional venues throughout Greater Portland. 

"Sonnets and Soliloquies" is an hour-long free performance of some of the bard's best poetry, presented in a style that is designed to be accessible to all audience members, even those that are not that familiar with his work.  The ambience and performance style encourage an intimate relationship between actor and audience that allows the language to take center stage.  Actors are cued by contemporary lines written on cue cards read by audience members, allowing for a playful interact ion that celebrates the poetry by providing a contemporary context for the text.

While the venue remains in question, Naked Shakespeare plans to continue the "Sonnets and Soliloquies" the first Monday of the month beginning in November 2009.  Additionally, the company will be presenting a scene night entitled "Fools for Love" at SPACE Gallery in downtown Portland on January 18 and 19, 2010.  The season will continue with an abridged version of "The Tempest" at USM in March and conclude with a full production of "As You Like It" over two weekends in May at Riverbank Park in Westbrook. 

The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble was founded by Michael Levine and Michael Howard in the fall of 2004 in order to provide an opportunity for local professional actors to forge a long-term working relationship designed to deepen their ability to interpret classical text.  The company's mission to is to educate its audience about the meaning behind Shakespeare's text by using acting to simply demonstrate the broad range of intricate emotion, theme and language.  Naked Shakespeare actors strive to create the world of the play in the imagination of the audience by minimizing the use of sets, lights and costumes and focusing on the imagery contained in the Bard's language.

Call Acorn Productions at 854-0065 or visit www.nakedshakespeare.org for more information about "Sonnets and Soliloquies" or any other programs offered by Acorn Productions.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Who: Naked Shakespeare
What: "Sonnets and Soliloquies Greatest Hits"
Where: Monument Square, Portland
When: Monday, September 21st at 6 p.m.
How Much: FREE, suggested donation $10
FMI: www.nakedshakespeare.org or 854-0065