WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2011
VOL. 2 NO. 238
PORTLAND, ME
Bar’s license hearing expands into Bayside crime discussion
PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER
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Laying the foundation for a creative economy business
BY CURTIS ROBINSON THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
It began as a liquor license review of a local bar that’s operated as a successful family business for decades. But neighbors, including a man who said he had gathered 100 signatures backing his view, said people hanging out around Rockin’ Ricky’s on Portland Street are a hazard. Women explained that they are afraid to walk there at night, and several residents complained about drug dealing and prostitution. Still others argued for the bar, noting that police were not recommending denial of the license. Instead, police were reporting that the establishment has not been cited for over-serving or selling alcohol to under-age patrons in any of the 30 times it had been visited by officers. City Councilor Dory Waxman spoke strongly in favor of the bar’s operator, citing extensive community involvement and cooperation with law enforcement. After extensive discussion that dominated a Portland City Council meeting Monday night, the liquor license discussion had evolved into a critique of both the specific several-block neighborhood and the general Bayside Community.
A sign in the window of Rockin’ Ricky’s reads: “Under 21 warning: A law enforcement officer may be posing as an employee or a customer.” (CURTIS ROBINSON PHOTO)
Analysis That was the apparent plan. Councilor John Anton said he had asked that Rockin’ Rickey’s liquor license renewal be placed on a council agenda to prompt discussion about problems in Bayside. Such items are often included in the council’s routine consent agenda. see CRIME page 3
Area poets at loss for words BY BOB HIGGINS THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Portland area poetry aficionados, irritated that poetry readings were cut from the Maine gubernatorial swearing-in ceremony today, have decided to have a reading anyway. The Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance is holding a reading at Longfellow Square, in the shadow of the city’s native son poetry immortal, at exactly the same time (noon) as governor-elect Paul LePage is scheduled to take his
oath of office. According to a press release, “This is a celebration, not a protest.” People are encouraged to bring and read copies of their favorite Maine poems, such as works by Longfellow, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Louise Bogan. In an effort to reduce expenditures, several items usually associated with gubernatorial swearing in ceremonies, such as the Governor’s Ball and poetry readings, were cancelled.
Stone mason Chris Ward lays bricks outside the former Binga’s Wingas building at Bramhall Square Tuesday, part of a creative economy development. The crew from Rand Stoneworks of Scarborough is working on the sidewalk. General contractor Portland Builders reports that the new building, the site of innovative office space that’s a staple of creative economies, should be completed in three weeks. Developer Peter with Random Orbit Inc. of Portland tore down the old Binga’s Wingas restaurant last year to replace it with offices for “coworking”— a work approach developed in San Francisco that caters to remote workers who prefer to gather in a professional environment customized to their needs. The site at Bramhall Square on Congress Street has been eyed for improvements after a November 2008 fire heavily damaged Binga’s Wingas, a restaurant that has since re-merged as Binga’s Stadium Smokehouse and Sports Bar at 77 Free St. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)
Bringing a child into the world is not for faint of heart
Table manners are still in demand, if slightly less so
New Gloucester coffee house opens 2011 season
See Maggie Knowles on page 5
See Natalie Ladd’s column on page 8
See the Music Calendar, page 15