The Portland Daily Sun, Thursday, December 16, 2010

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010

VOL. 2 NO. 225

PORTLAND, ME

PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER

FREE

699-5801

Benched: Bayside seating art rejected

BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

The city’s Public Art Committee unanimously voted to reopen the search for artist-designed public benches for the new Bayside Trail after an underwhelming response to the 17 submitted designs.

The benches were slated to be installed by June of next year in time for the city’s annual Trails Day

event, but with only two of the proposed designs earning five-to-three affirmative votes from the project’s commissioning committee, the PAC decided to go back to the drawing board.

“Obviously there was not an overwhelming endorsement of any bench,” said Jack Soley, PAC chair, at Wednesday’s meeting.

The committee will reopen the search either as

a request for proposals (RFP), a method in which the PAC outlines general criteria for the project and accepts submissions from any interested artist, or a request for qualifications (RFQ), where the PAC requests artist’s qualifications, and chooses a pool of candidates from whom they would like to see proposals. see BENCHES page 12

Area officers build bridges with youths Shop With a Cop one way police reach out

BY DAVID CARKHUFF THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

It all started with a trip to a Green Bay Packers game.

On Friday, when Portland Police take a group of children to Target to “Shop With a Cop,” the local police department will be carrying on an outreach effort imported to Maine’s largest city from the frequently frozen tundra of Wisconsin.

Portland Police Officer Ray Ruby said he saw the Shop With a Cop program featured in a newspaper in the Badger State.

“I was a patrol officer, and I had heard about this program when I went out to Wisconsin with my dad to a Packers game,” Ruby said. “I Portland Police youth services officer Ray Ruby hauls out the wrapping paper for Friday’s Shop With a Cop program. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Wassailing party revives tradition

Luring them back

Founded in 2008 by Dave and Morgan Surkin, PortSports Social Club organizes sports leagues and social events, and will hold their third annual, open to the public, wassailing party at the Urban Farm Fermentory at 200 Anderson St. Rooted in a Middle Age tradition of reciprocal exchange between feudal lords

Sandy MacIver, a seafood buyer for Emerald Seafood of New York, participates in a fish auction at the Portland Fish Exchange Wednesday. For a story on a new rebate program that seeks to lure ground fishermen to Portland, see page 6.

(DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Charity sports league aims to raise money for local nonprofits

BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Today a local charity sports league will revive the age-old holiday tradition of wassailing in an effort to raise money for local nonprofits.

see POLICE page 7

see WASSAILING page 8

Old Port Playhouse LIVE! ON STAGE!

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE!” TONITE-SUNDAY • 773-0333 WWW.OLDPORTPLAYHOUSE.COM

Maine, NJ links probed in case of NY bodies See story on page 3

Wi-Fi tags See Bob HIggins on page 4

Page 2 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

NYC to vote on taxi driver dress code NEW YORK (AP) — Shabby cabbies in New York City might have to step up their look.

The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission is scheduled to vote on a rule change at its meeting on Thursday, amending existing regulations governing a driver’s appearance to insist on “a professional appearance.”

Rules about cabbie appearance have been on the books for years. But whereas the current rule requires a driver to be “clean and neat in dress” and prohibits specific clothing from being worn as outerwear — such as underwear, tank tops, and swimwear— the new rule emphasizes broad parameters, that a driver’s overall appearance has to be neat, clean and professional.

Cabbie Bertin Kouakou (pronounced KWAH-koo) thought the whole idea was silly. The veteran driver, dressed simply in black jeans and a green fleece pullover, said he had never had a passenger complain about his clothing in the more than 15 years he’s been behind the wheel.

As for the taxi commission, he said, officials should “do something to improve the service for passengers, not bother the drivers.”

Admittedly, drivers face a number of other rules that are more likely to get them in bigger trouble if they’re not followed, such as using cell phones while driving.

But “taxi drivers are ambassadors for the city, often the first person a visitor sees is a taxi driver,” TLC Commissioner David Yassky told The Associated Press.

“We’re just trying to make sure taxi drivers think about the fact they represent the city.”

He acknowledged that few violations are handed out for breaking the sartorial codes, and that cab drivers weren’t about to get citations for wearing last year’s pants or mixing the wrong prints.

“We’re not going to have the fashion police fan out all over the city looking for schlubbly dressed drivers,” Yassky said. “This isn’t really something that you enforce in the legalistic way, it’s just a matter of TLC setting a tone.”

A violation of the dress code carries a $25 fine, the lowest category.

Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the advocacy group New York Taxi Workers Alliance, said she didn’t think the rule change would be a big deal for cabbies, and they already understand the requirements of their jobs.

SAYWHAT...

“

A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running.”

—Groucho Marx

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DIGEST––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

THEMARKET

3DAYFORECAST Today High: 26 Record: 56 (2008) Sunrise: 7:08 a.m.

Tomorrow High: 30 Low: 17 Sunrise: 7:09 a.m.

Sunset: 4:05 p.m.

DOW JONES 19.07 to 11,457.47

Tonight Low: 15 Record: -9 (1951) Sunset: 4:05 p.m.

Saturday High: 36 Low: 22

S&P 6.36 to 1,235.23

NASDAQ 10.5 to 2,617.22

LOTTERY#’S

THETIDES

DAILY NUMBERS Day 3-5-8 • 3-7-0-1 Evening 1-6-6 • 3-5-4-4

MORNING High: 6:44 a.m.

Low: 12:24 a.m.

1,435 U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan.

EVENING High: 7:19 p.m.

Low: 1:10 p.m.

-courtesy of www.maineboats.com

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WORLD/NATION–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ford Windstar minivan recall grows WHITMAN, Mass. (AP) — Sean Bowman was driving with a classmate to community college when his Ford Windstar’s rear axle cracked in half, sending the minivan careening into a building and killing him, his family says.

One week later, the family says, a safety recall notice from Ford arrived in the mail.

It said the 2001 Windstar’s axle should be checked out because it could corrode and break. Now Bowman’s relatives — and some safety experts — are accusing Ford of failing to give the recall the urgency it deserved.

Bowman’s widow, Justine Bowman, called it a “stealth” recall.

“This is not your average, everyday recall. This is your rear axle can break, you can lose control of your vehicle, your wheels can fall off,” she told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Ford Motor Co. declined to comment on Bowman’s case or why the family says it got its notice more than six weeks after the automaker announced the recall in August.

But Ford said the recall was no secret. The announcement was carried by the AP and other organizations at the time.

“Ford is committed to safety and notifying customers of recall,” said spokesman Wes Sherwood. “We send individualized letters to customers with affected vehicles and go beyond government requirements for recall notifications.”

Automakers are required by federal law to notify owners by mail “within a reasonable amount of time,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And owners typically are notified within 30 days.

Representatives of NHTSA and the U.S. Transportation Department did not immediately comment Wednesday night.

Stores try to create shopping surge in final days NEW YORK (AP) — You won’t find uncommonly deep discounts, but you won’t have to worry about finding something to buy, either. For the first time in three years, the Christmas season is looking brighter for stores and shoppers alike.

With plenty of dollars remaining to be spent, stores are trying to attract late shoppers with measured discounts and other gimmicks, including pulling all-nighters and pushing more last-minute gifts.

Consumers are more primed to spend than they have been in several years. Projections for holiday spending are starting to approach pre-recession levels. The National Retail Federation and research firm ShopperTrak both raised their holiday forecasts this week.

Shoppers spent more than expected in November, helped by early discounts. And even though they’ve backed off more in early December than stores had hoped, analysts and retailers aren’t worried.

That’s because a burst of

In this Nov. 26 photo, shoppers take advantage of sales while shopping at the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, Va. Shoppers holding out for 80 percent discounts as they finish up their holiday buying will again be disappointed, but unlike last year, they’ll still be able to get what they want. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

spending happens in the 10 days before Christmas, a period that accounted for 34 percent of holiday sales last year, up from 31 percent in 2006, according to ShopperTrak.

Store inventories are not as depleted as last year, when merchants scared about having too many leftovers began the season with skimpy offerings.

That made it hard for shoppers to buy even a strand of lights in early December.

A few hot sellers are hard to find, according to Karen MacDonald, a spokeswoman at Taubman Centers. And those seeking some of the hot toys like Mattel Inc.’s Monster High dolls will have a hard time, though Toys R Us says it will

keep getting daily shipments of the season’s hot toys.

“We are in very good stock position,” said Kathleen Waugh, a Toys R Us spokeswoman. “We picked the right toys. We’ll be ready around the clock.”

The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, raised its holiday forecast to 3.3 percent from its original projection that sales would climb 2.3 percent.

That would put holiday sales at $451.5 billion, close to the holiday 2007 levels of $452.8 billion and well above 2006’s $444.7 billion. The figure excludes auto, restaurant and gasoline sales.

The increasing optimism comes as government figures released Tuesday showed that retail sales for November jumped 0.8 percent over October.

A lot depends on this weekend, the last before Christmas.

If stores don’t make their sales goals, shoppers may see steeper discounts in the final days.

Stores are betting that won’t happen.

Stocks fall as euro worries overshadow U.S. growth NEW YORK (AP) — Early gains in the stock market evaporated Wednesday after worries about Europe’s debt crisis overshadowed signs of growth in the U.S. Bond prices fell, sending long-term interest rates higher again.

The euro fell 1.2 percent against the dollar after Moody’s said that it may lower Spain’s credit rating. The stronger dollar hurts U.S. companies that do a lot of business overseas. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index, the broadest measure of large U.S. companies, fell 0.5 percent.

Stock prices started the day higher after reports showed that U.S. manufacturing

industry is growing and inflation remains under control. The Federal Reserve said U.S. factory output rose for the fifth straight month in November. A separate report showed that consumer prices stayed flat last month.

In the late afternoon, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $858 billion package that will extend tax cuts passed during the Bush administration for another two years. The measure now goes to the House, where it is expected to pass despite complaints by Democrats over what they see as overly generous estate tax rates for the rich.

The unfinished tax bill made some investors pause. “No one is going to make any major planning decisions until this bill gets passed,” said Tim Speiss, a partner at EisnerAmper LLP, a financial planning firm. “I’m working with a lot of companies who are postponing deals until they know what the tax rates will be.”

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 19.07 or 0.2 percent, to 11,457.47.

The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 6.36, or 0.5 percent, to 1,235.23.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 10.5, or 0.4 percent, to 2,617.22.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 3

rr y We Now&CaD ou g M el is sa Se Ar t ts !

Maine, NJ links probed in case of NY beach bodies

522 Congress Street, Portland • 207-775-4244 101 Washington Street, Biddeford • 207-282-2840

P E P P E R C L U B dinner 7 nights

The Good Egg Café 6 mornings

Beach State Park on Long Island’s south shore, police said.

Because the bodies were each just off the highway and within a quartermile of each other, police suspect the deaths are connected.

“We’re looking at that — that we could have a serial killer,” Dormer told reporters Tuesday.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that four bodies ended up in this area.”

Family members became worried about Waterman not hearing from her during a trip to New York in early June, her mother told the AP. Waterman always called three times a day to speak to her 4-year-old daughter, Liliana, but the last call came on the night of June 5, she said.

When police searched the hotel room they found Waterman’s clothing, makeup, cell phone and other belongings, Ela said.

Liliana is now staying with Ela’s mother in the Portland area.

Police did not search along the Long Island highway, about 45 miles east of Manhattan, on Wednesday, but a spokeswoman said it was likely investigators would return there in the coming days.

Detectives believe the four were killed elsewhere and then taken to the site, a narrow strip of land that divides the Great South Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The four-lane parkway runs through the middle, connecting Jones Beach State Park with several stateand town-run beaches to its east.

FREE WI-FI AM & PM

Still Celebrating 21 Years for $21 4-Courses... $21

Now accepting reservations for New Years Eve MANY NEW OPTIONS!

HAVE YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY with us!

Breakfast Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 7-11am; Sat & Sun 8am-1pm

78 Middle St, Portland, ME • 207.772.0531 • www.pepperclubrestaurant.com

Friendly Discount & Redemption Leader in Lowest Prices for the Last 5 Years!

922 Main St. Westbrook • 856-2779 • 591-7022

Best Ser vice, Unbeatable Price, Most Convenient Stop for Shopping

CIGARETTES Paul Mall...................................4.59 pk Marlboro / Camel.....................5.69 pk Old Gold.....................................4.85 pk 1839 / Shield..............................4.39 pk Ace / Hi-Val / Pyramid.............3.99 pk

TOBACCO

44.99 carton 55.99 carton 48.49 carton 42.99 carton 39.90 carton

4 Aces Pipe...............................14.99 16oz.

Gambler Pipe............................14.99 16oz.

Golden Harvest........................13.94 12oz.

Criss - Cross.............................13.99 16oz.

Farmers Blend..........................12.99 16oz.

6.99 6oz.

6.99 6oz.

6.99 6oz.

6.99 6oz.

6.99 6oz.

$1.00 OFF Marlboro Special Blend / Camel Menthol • We have .99 cigarette tubes in stock

WINE SPECIALS

BEER HOT HOT DEALS

3 for $10.00 WINE SPECIAL 10 wines to choose from!

Yellow Tail & Linderman’s..................1.5 ml only 8.99++ Shutter Home White Zinfandel........1.5ml 2 for 12.00++ Franzia 5 Lt box..........................starting at only 11.49++ Kendall Jackson or Bogle Petite Sirah. . . . .only 10.49++

Labatt Blue Import.......................................12 pk. 5.99++ Bud Lite Golden Wheat ..............................12 pk. 5.99++ Honey Moon Summer Ale...........................12 pk. 6.99++ Michelob Porter.........................................24 pk. 11.99++

Redemption Center – 6 Cents Everyday

Pizza - Pasta - Parmagiana

ABOVE: Lorraine Ela, of South Portland, displays her cell phone that has a picture of her missing daughter, while being interviewed by the media at her home on Wednesday. Ela’s daughter, Megan Waterman, 22, has been missing since June and authorities say they are trying to determine whether she is one four women’s bodies found along a remote beach highway on New York’s Long Island. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach) INSET: A missing-person poster circulated when Waterman went missing. (FILE IMAGE)

two favorites in one location

Single Lobster Dinner $ 12.95 Served with Garden Salad

Triple Lobster Dinner $ 22.95 Served with Garden Salad

Join us for Wed. Night Trivia 6:30 to 8:30 Christmas gift certificates available

G R DiMillo’s BA Y SID E

Restaurant & Sports Bar 118 Preble St., Portland, ME At the entrance to Downtown Portland

207-699-5959 • www.grdimillos.com

Espresso - Cannoli - Steak

BABYLON, N.Y. (AP) — The mother of a missing Maine woman last seen working as an escort in New York submitted a DNA sample Wednesday to authorities trying to determine the identities of four women whose bodies were found dumped on a deserted beach highway on Long Island.

Meanwhile, the FBI offered its assistance with the investigation by Suffolk County authorities, who suspect they may be dealing with a serial killer.

Authorities obtained the DNA sample from Lorraine Ela and will ship it to New York in an effort to determine whether one of the bodies found is that of the woman’s daughter, said Robert Moulton, chief of the Scarborough, Maine, Police Department.

Megan Waterman, who advertised her escort services on the online classifieds site Craigslist, was last seen in June at a Hauppauge, N.Y., hotel where she went with her boyfriend.

The hotel is about 15 miles from where the bodies were found this week.

“There’s definitely a possibility, but we’re on hold at this point,” Moulton said of the suspicion that one of the victims is Waterman.

Investigators are looking into the disappearance of both Waterman and a 24-year-old Jersey City, N.J., woman who was last seen on May 1. Shannon Gilbert was working as a prostitute, authorities said, when she disappeared not far from where the bodies were found.

Suffolk County police discovered the first body on Saturday and the other three on Monday while following up on a missing-persons report for Gilbert. A Long Island resident recalled seeing the woman believed to be Gilbert briefly at his door around 4:45 a.m. May 1.

“I heard screaming at my front door,” said Gustav Coletti, who lives in Ocean Beach, about three miles from where the bodies were found.

“She was saying, ‘I need help, I need help, they’re after me,’” Coletti told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. He told the woman he was calling the police, but she immediately turned around and fled, he said.

A few moments later, a man in a sport-utility vehicle drove past the house and told Coletti he was looking for the woman. Coletti said the driver told him they had been at a party and the woman had become upset.

“He took off after and I waited for the police,” he said. That was the last he saw of either the driver or woman, said Coletti, who could not offer details on the SUV or the man.

The four bodies were systematically dumped, perhaps over a period of 18 months or longer, along a desolate, windy stretch of highway east of Jones

Page 4 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

––––––––––––– COLUMN –––––––––––––

So much for loyalty On Friday, July 13,1962, in what would come to be called his “Night of the Long Knives,” British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, desperate to reverse his own sliding political fortunes, abruptly fired seven of his cabinet ministers, including Selwyn Lloyd, the chancellor of the exchequer. The British politician Jeremy Thorpe said of Macmillan’s sacking of Lloyd, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his friends for his life.”

The acid wit of Thorpe would have been appropriate in 2010 Washington when, stung by criticism from House Democrats that he had caved in secret negotiations with Senate Republicans by abandoning his long-held opposition to extend tax cuts to the wealthiest 2 percent of taxpay––––– ers, President Barack Obama Creators uncharacteristically lashed Syndicate out at those who had been his most steadfast allies over the last two stormy years.

Sometimes criticized for failing to publicly show emotion, a petulant Obama chastised fellow party members of yearning for the “satisfaction of having a purist position and no victories for the American people.”

Mark Shields

see SHIELDS page 5

We want your opinions All letters columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of the writer or artists and do not reflect the opinions of the staff, editors or publisher of The Portland Daily Sun. We welcome your ideas and opinions on all topics and consider every signed letter for publication. Limit letters to 300 words and include your address and phone number.

Longer letters will only be published as space allows and may be edited. Anonymous letters, letters without full names and generic letters will not be published. Please send your letters to: THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, news@portlanddailysun.me. You may FAX your letters to 899-4963, Attention: Editor.

Portland’s FREE DAILY Newspaper Curtis Robinson Editor David Carkhuff, Matt Dodge Reporters THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN is published Tuesday through Saturday by Portland News Club, LLC. Mark Guerringue, Adam Hirshan, Curtis Robinson Founders Offices: 61 St. Lawrence St. Portland, Maine 04101 (207) 699-5801 Website: www.portlanddailysun.me E-mail: news@portlanddailysun.me For advertising contact: (207) 699-5801 or ads@portlanddailysun.me Classifieds: (207) 699-5807 or classifieds@portlanddailysun.me CIRCULATION: 14,000 daily distributed Tuesday through Saturday FREE throughout Portland by Spofford News Company jspofford@maine.rr.com

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COLUMN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Wi-Fi or Wry-Fi? A brief survey of wireless Internet access in Portland is long overdue.

Over the last few days, while riding around on the bus, I’ve come to the realization that most of the wi-fi in Portland is locked up. Hey, it’s yours, and you pay for it, but occasionally writers can find themselves in odd parts of the city, perhaps with a column to file.

That leads to the inevitable filing via smart phone, a rocky road of peril at best.

At work or at home, this leads to folks like myself, the modern day wi-fi pirates. We climb aboard your open router like a thief climbing in through an open window, download huge files or Netflix movies, and are gone before the rising of the sun. Ahh, the joys of the open seas of the Internet.

Just about anyone within rockthrowing distance of the Portland Public Library has logged in anonymously, and surfed the net.

Down at the neighborhood level, an open (read that free) connection has become rarer than the punchline of that old joke about a single guy looking for a woman with her own boat, but send pictures of the boat.

Portlanders are getting funnier about the names they choose for

Bob Higgins ––––– Daily Sun Columnist their wi-fi, though. I’ve collected a few of the choice ones to pass along, as they are a window into the mind of the folks who own them.

My favorite of all time has just got to be “The Slutty Drunk Chicks Next Door.” Not only do they sound like fun folks, the description leads me to want to meet them. Unfortunately for me, they were the next door neighbors of she who will not be named, so the chances to slip out and go knocking on doors to find them were low.

“Spoony Luv From Up Above” was one I saw last week, while sitting and waiting for a bus. This could be entertaining or frightening, depending on the appetites of the person who owns it. Editor did point out that it might make a good band name.

“SassyMcMonkey” was another list topper. Obviously, this person should walk a few steps down Forest Ave. and have a beer with “Rapsheet,” as there is no doubt

in my mind the two of them would enjoy each other’s company.

There were several science fiction connections I spotted, but “DrWhoFan577” and “Alderaan” most likely already know each other. It’s a small town for science fiction fans. Perhaps they should have a mixer at whoever owns the wi-fi hot spot named “Thunderdome.”

One notable alleged humorist has named his connection “GOD.” This is funny on multiple levels, as the connection is a secured one, that you can’t get onto without a key. Apparently, whoever owns this connection is jealous of their personal relationship, and has taken aggressive measures to prohibit you from talking to God. Perhaps they are worried that you might pass on gossip.

Next time, I think I’ll try the password “prayer.”

Further on down the road, I caught “Pastor Eriksons Tiny Time Town.” I considered hacking into the network to let him know about the person up the street who seemed to have a personal pipeline to the Almighty, but that might involve breaking up a fistfight.

Someone also loves their job enough to name the connection see HIGGINS page 5

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 5

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OPINION ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A word to Congress: Don’t soak the rich The rich are different from you and me. They are swine.

So say many of the Democrats in the House of Representatives who would rather that jobless people lose their unemployment checks and middle-class people lose their income tax breaks than that the rich get a dime extra.

Some Democrats hate the rich. Most Americans, on the other hand, would like to become the rich.

Barack Obama understands this.

Having grown up poor, he is today worth about $5 million, chiefly from writing books.

Americans do not resent their presidents for being wealthy. Of the four presidents on Mount Rushmore — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln — three are among our top five wealthiest presidents.

Washington had a net worth of $525 million. Jefferson was worth $212 million, and Roosevelt $125 million. (Lincoln was worth less than a million.) Our richest president was John F. Kennedy, worth about $1 billion. The fifth-richest president was the “friend of the common man” Andrew Jackson, who was worth $119 million. (These figures, taken from the Atlantic in May, measure wealth in today’s dollars.)

All of these presidents were pretty popular, ordinary folks not holding their wealth against them. Today, however, things are different.

Congressional Democrats want us to

Roger Simon ––––– Creators Syndicate hate the rich for being rich.

To me, this flies in the face of the American dream, which is to work hard, play by the rules, save your money and marry wealthy. As a kid, I dreamed about being adopted by a rich family. My father was a truck driver, and my mother was a housewife, and this seemed the quickest route.

It was not to be, however. But I never resented the rich. On weekends, my father used to take the family on drives through wealthy neighborhoods — I am not making this up — so we could ogle the homes of the affluent.

When the ‘60s rolled around, I didn’t want to burn down the homes of the rich, I wanted to live in them. (It was OK with me if they stayed. I would have been happy with just an oak-paneled den and a color TV.) Again, it was not to be. I went to college at a time when wealth was not fashionable and got a degree in English literature so I could read about men and women who led lives even more miserable than my own.

I got a job and slowly, without my much noticing it, I put money in the bank every week, and a small amount

of money accumulated.

I bought a black-and-white TV and a used Fiat 850 Spyder. (They were about the same size.) And I began hearing about things like IRAs and certificates of deposit, which seemed like a pretty good deal.

I paid taxes, but I never went crazy with resentment over them. I was not pleased that my taxes were being used to fund the Vietnam War, but I was pleased that they were being used to fund the Peace Corps and VISTA. Interest accrued. I bought a color TV that had a remote control, and I traded in the used Fiat for a new Toyota because I learned that Toyotas ran during all four seasons. Every now and then, I would see people driving Mercedes and BMWs and Jaguars. I knew they were probably driving to large, nice homes, rather than the small apartment where I lived.

But I never resented that. Which is why class warfare doesn’t work in America and why congressional Democrats are being stupid. In America, the class structure is fluid. You don’t have to stay in the economic class into which you were born. People don’t really hate the rich, and we don’t really want to confiscate their wealth.

Only half of the wealthiest people in America inherited their wealth. The rest earned it. But earned or inherited, I just want them to pay their fair share of taxes, not some kind of punitive share.

And if the price of my middle-class tax break and continued unemployment

benefits for the jobless is a tax break for the wealthy, well, I can live with that. As can President Obama.

The only people who can’t are legislators who are posturing for the cameras and proving what we all know: Congress is a virtually dysfunctional institution, torn asunder by hyper-partisanship and a demented degree of yearning on the part of incumbents to get re-elected.

So it is fashionable with some on Capitol Hill to hate the rich. Until election time, when they would like the rich to bundle money for them. Then the rich are just swell.

Yes, the gap between rich and poor is growing in this country, and too small a percentage of the population owns too much of the wealth.

Don’t like the way wealth is distributed in the country? Then you can join the congressional Democrats and grump about it, or you can go out and get some wealth for yourself.

I am not saying people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Some people don’t have bootstraps.

But I am saying that when a compromise comes along that benefits the poor, the middle class and, yes, the rich, we ought to go for it. The guys on Mount Rushmore would understand.

(To find out more about Roger Simon, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www. creators.com.)

‘Where will this man stand up, and where will he fight?’

SHIELDS from page 4

Let the record show that nobody in the White House lost a job because of the election returns on Nov. 2. The past two years have basically only cost the president a couple of dozen points of popularity in the Gallup Poll. But having to cast politically painful votes on President Obama’s initiatives in heath care, economic stimulus, financial reform and cap-and-trade put at least 100 House Democrats at re-election risk. Sixty-three of them paid with their jobs.

On each of those career-threatening votes, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., has stood with Barack Obama.

In the first three days after what critics branded “the Obama-McConnell deal” was announced, Welch and 53 House Democrats had signed a letter opposing the deal for being both “fiscally irresponsible “ by adding another $900 billion to the$14 trillion national debt (does anyone recall last week’s “historic” Presidential Deficit Reduction Commission report?) and “grossly unfair” in advantaging the already advantaged.

He argues that by agreeing in the deal to the lowest inheritance tax rate since Herbert Hoover’s administration, the president’s compromise would unjustly reward “39,000 families with $25 billion.”

That’s quite accurate.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the proposed inheritance tax would apply to only 0.14 percent of estates in 2011 and collect just $11.2 billion. If the current law were to take effect, the inheritance tax would reach 1.76 percent of estates and the federal revenues would be $34.4 billion.

In the final analysis, character is destiny. Of every conservative political leader, American voters have the same question: Does he have a heart, is he capable of compassion? Of each liberal political leader (from whose ranks Obama comes), American voters have another question: Does he have steel in his backbone? Is he tough enough?

After the president announced the tax deal, Democratic pollster Peter Hart addressed that very matter. “What the America public is looking for and what they are trying to understand is his

backbone. ... Where will this man stand up, and where will he fight?”

Concerning the perception of the president’s being more eager to switch than to fight, Hart said: “The difficulty with what happened is that instead of going eyeball-to-eyeball (against the Republicans) and then blinking, (people) saw him — at 40 yards — blinking.”

Hart, who supports the deal Obama struck — even though he believes that Obama reached it both “too early” and “too easily” — analyzes that voters are still unsure, almost halfway through President Obama’s term, just “how firm, how tough he is — and two years in, unlike (with) other presidents, they don’t have a good measure of that.”

Of this whole tax-cut episode, somebody, not Jeremy Thorpe, said, “You can tell an awful lot about how big a man is by what makes him angry.”

Amen.

(To find out more about Mark Shields and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.)

Hackers can break into a computer like thieves in a window HIGGINS from page 4

“DismalWerks.” They must be on the slow side of the dial-up connection.

But perhaps the best of all time was next door to me on Munjoy Hill. The neighbor had her router positioned in the window, a scant twenty feet from our apartment. My roommate had been pirating her wireless for months at odd hours, but when I came to live there it turned into a neighborhood free-forall. Suddenly, the owner of the connection grew suspicious of all the free riders, and changed the name

from the standard “Belkin” that most free routers broadcast to a more direct message, “I C U Stealing.”

Roommate and I even discussed this, wondering if we should take over some kind of baked goods as a peace offering. Within a few days, all the neighbors seemed to get the message, and her number of moochers dropped considerably.

For any that doubt the creativity of Portland residents, just drive around with your laptop. You’ll find quite a few laughs, and likely some named hotspots you’ll have to think over for a second before you get them. Pirate some of them long enough, and you

might meet them.

As far as passwords go, a heads up. One “hacker” website did several surveys over the last few years of the most frequently used passwords. They claim that, if the land mass of the entire U.S. was used to lay out all the possible passwords end to end, 90 percent of the passwords most frequently used would fit in a space about three feet square.

In other words, maybe we do have a prayer.

(Bob Higgins is a regular contributor to The Portland Daily Sun.)

Page 6 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

Rebate tries to lure anglers back to Portland

BY DAVID CARKHUFF THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Alan Tracy, fuel and ice supplier on the Portland waterfront, said he has seen first hand how Maine’s 5 percent diesel fuel tax for local ground fishing boats hurts the local economy.

“What we see is some of our client base, some of the fishermen are choosing to fish out of Massachusetts, one of the factors being the fuel tax.

There are other issues that are creating challenges, but this is a big one,” Tracy said.

In response, the nonprofit Portland Fish Exchange, the Maine Fisherman’s Cooperative Association and Vessel Services Inc. have launched a rebate program to offset Maine’s diesel fuel tax for local ground fishing boats. The program is designed to help stem the exodus of fishing vessels from Maine to Massachusetts where no such tax exists, the city reported.

Nicky Avelis said he attends fish auctions in New Bedford and Gloucester, Mass, as well as Portland.

While he has no dog in the fight, he said he can appreciate Portland’s predicament.

“I understand why they should keep their own fish local instead of going to Gloucester,” he said.

“The purpose of it,” Tracy said, “is to provide some temporary relief on the fuel tax that is currently being charged on the fuel use by the ground fishing fleet, and the hope is even though it’s a temporary program it will bring some attention to the issue.”

Maine’s ground fishing fleet has shrunk by more than half in just four years, a decrease largely attributed to added state fees and restrictions, the city reported.

“The best way to bring Maine boats home is to

“

” Po rtlan d P ress H er ald

GARTY’S H AG BRIT-INDI CUISINE

Christm a s Gift Certifica tes Ava ila ble

Haggartys.com

Gluten Free O ptions

C ho ice o f Fu ll V egetarian M en u A vailab le

Open 7 Days 849 Forest Ave., Portland

207-761-8222

Sandy MacIver, a seafood buyer for Emerald Seafood of New York, chats with other buyers prior to a fish auction at the Portland Fish Exchange Wednesday. A new rebate program seeks to offset Maine’s 5 percent diesel fuel tax for local ground fishing boats. To participate in the program, fishermen landing groundfish at the Portland Fish Exchange will have 10 days after selling their fish to purchase fuel at Vessel Services and receive a refund for the fuel tax. The program will end when the fund is exhausted. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

level the playing field,” Terry Alexander, MFCA president, said in a press release “We want to make Portland as attractive as Gloucester for landing

CHARLIE’S DINER

$5.00 Lunch Specials Monday thru Friday

Take Out & Delivery

Three Sons Lobster and Fish

SNOWMOBILERS WELCOME! Trails run right behind us, drive on up! Open 7 days!

Lunch specials not to be combined with any other offers.

1557 Bridgton Road, Westbrook • 854-0048 Mon-Fri 7am-2pm • Sat 6am-1pm • Sun 6am-1pm Breakfast only We accept all major credit cards

Meat Market

207-761-0825 Fresh Chowders Hot & Ready to go!!!

•Lobster Bisque •Haddock Chowder •Clam Chowder Also, check out our large selection of refrigerated all natural hurricane chowder.

WE STILL HAVE SOFT SHELLS! Soft Shell Lobster Chix.........$4.79/lb Soft Shell Lobster Halves...$5.79/lb Soft Shell Lobster Quarters...$4.99/lb Soft Shell Lobster Selects. .$6.79/lb Hard Shells starting @ $6.00/lb

WE ALSO CARRY: Live Maine Steamers & Mussels, Live Rock Crabs & Crabmeat, Live Maine Oysters, Haddock Fillet, Lobster Tails, Fresh-Picked Lobstermeat, Jumbo Shrimp & more!

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:

Wholesale Lobsters to the Public!

Fresh Haddock $4.99/lb.

72 Commercial Street - Maine Wharf (between Ri-Ra’s and Dry Dock) Open Mon thru Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm Check our website for prices, specials & promotions www.threesonslobsterandfish.com Check us out on

If It’s Live, We Can Cook It! Come on down & look for the dancing lobster!

We Accept EBT Cards www.freshapproachmarket.com Fresh Chicken

10lb. bag Fresh Boneless Skinless

Leg Quarters

Chicken Breast

Land O’ Lakes Sliced

USDA Choice

.49¢lb

$

16.90

American Cheese NY Sirloin Steak $

2.99lb

Made Fresh 1/2 lb

$

4.49lb

Made Fresh

Philly Cheese Ham Italian $ $ Steak 4.99 2.99 155 Brackett St., Portland 774-7250

Mon-Fri 8-7 • Sat 9-7 • Sun 9-5

ground fish by eliminating one of the biggest costs to keeping the fish local — the fuel tax.”

The $30,000 program funded by MFCA will offset the sales tax penalty for boats that land groundfish at the Portland Fish Exchange and will be administered by Vessel Services Inc., the fuel and ice supplier on the Portland Fish Pier and at the Exchange.

Maine ground fishing vessels can pay between $5,000 and $10,000 a year in fuel taxes just to be able to land their fish locally, the city reported. In 2004, Gov. John Baldacci’s Groundfish Task Force, created to help preserve Maine’s groundfishing communities, identified Maine’s fuel tax policy as a significant factor encouraging Maine vessels to leave the state and recommended the repeal of the tax, the city reported, noting that similar exemptions for commercial use already exist such as sales tax exemptions for lobster trap bait. In 2007, the state established an abatement program for the fuel tax but discontinued the rebate a year later.

“The cost of the fuel tax has certainly hurt landings at the exchange,” said Bert Jongerden, manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, “As much as Maine fishermen would like to keep their catch here, they, like most business owners, need to weigh the financial implications of the decision. By removing the fuel tax roadblock, I am hopeful that we can see some of the fleet return.”

Established in 1986, the Portland Fish Exchange is a nonprofit auction house for the sale of locally caught groundfish including cod, haddock, polluck, monkish, hake and flounder. Fish volumes sold at the exchange have dropped significantly in recent years from more than 20 million pounds to less than 10 million pounds a year, the city reported.

Explaining his support of the rebate, Ed Bradley, President of Vessel Services, stated, “Keeping groundfishing local is important not just to the fisherman, but to the regional economy. Whether fuel sales or maintenance and repair work, the fishing industry supports and creates a lot of local jobs and we need to do what we can to keep them here. We hope that our attempt here will bring renewed attention and action on this important issue.”

Brian Pierce, a Portland-based vessel owner echoed his support, “It is nice to see something being done to encourage boats to land more fish in Portland. The situation won’t change overnight but this is a good start, a step in the right direction.”

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 7

Departments emphasize outreach POLICE from page one

thought, ‘Man, that’s a great way for officers to interact with kids over the holidays.’”

Ruby, at that time a beat officer on the East End, said he met with his community coordinator and said, “I’d really like to do this.”

“The point was to really find ways to connect with youth, start some programming to keep kids active,” Ruby said.

In its first year, Shop With a Cop recruited two kids to do some holiday shopping with a local police officer. Last year, eight children participated. This year, eight or nine children will take part, depending on final review of applications, Ruby said.

Children from more than 100 applicants will be selected based on their answer to the question “Why I want to go shopping with a police officer?” to be a part of the third annual holiday event.

Ruby isn’t the only police officer who thinks reaching out to young people is important.

In the Scarborough Police Department, Officer Joe Giacomantonio invites young people to join a program that delivers buckets of sand to elderly people for use on their steps.

“We just started it, we had our first request just the other day,” Giacomantonio said.

Scarborough’s public works department provides a sand pile that’s open for residents, and the police department received donations of buckets from vendors. The idea is for young people to go to the community sand pile, fill buckets and drop them off at the doorsteps of senior citizens.

“It’s geared toward seniors who probably wouldn’t have the ability to get out or lug around a 5-gallon bucket of sand,” Giacomantonio said.

Anyone interested in volunteering or receiving sand can call Officer Giacomantonio at 730-4200, ext. 3094. “Leave a name and address, and we’ll have one of the kids come by and deliver it,” he said.

“That’s a big part of the program not only the interaction with the young people in the community but it allows us to do more with the community in general,” Giacomantonio said.

The young people learn a lesson as well.

“It’s the understanding that community service is an important part, It’s important to pay back to the community,” he said.

Scarborough Police also run a Boy Scouts Explorer program called Learning for Life with about 15 members.

“In our program we do a lot of training in law enforcement, and we do community outreach,” Giacomantonio said.

At a recent tactics and skills competition in Connecticut, the Explorers team placed second overall with six members in the top-three awards out of nine events at the Connecticut SWAT Challenge.

The competitions were based on the ability to work as a team, ability to make and follow a plan, communication, basic officer safety and the ability to follow directions.

Westbrook Police are involved through a Youth and Family Intervention Team providing multi-disciplinary support for kids and families on the edge, Chief Bill Baker said. The Westbrook Police Department also supports a middle school hockey team by sending members to skate with them. On Saturday, Baker and other officers planned to join team members on the ice.

Also, the department will be doing another rafting over the falls fundraiser for Mission Possible Youth organization this winter, Baker said. In this event, volunteers raft down Saccarappa Falls in rubber rafts to raise money for the local teen organization.

“The Westbrook Police are striving for ways to interact with the young people of Westbrook is positive and non-punitive ways,” Baker said.

“We know that the time spent relationship building with young people will yield a level of comfort and trust in young adulthood and beyond that will pay dividends for the kids and the police,” he said.

For the past 15 months, Ruby has filled Portland’s new position of youth services officer in the depart-

P a u lP in k h a m ’s A u to R ep a ir

FREE LOAN CAR WITH REPAIRS OVER $200 One Industrial Way Suite 5, Portland Off Riverside St., next to Hannaford’s

(207)899-4924 25 Years Experience Domestic & Foreign Dependable Auto Repair

Preparing for some gift-wrapping, Portland Police officer Ray Ruby brings in wrapping paper for Friday’s Shop With a Cop program at the Portland Police Department. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

ment’s community services division.

Ruby said Portland Police offer a variety of activities with young people, including a Portland Police Activities League, when Ruby puts on street clothes and coaches about 23 kids in basketball. On Tuesday, the Portland Police Explorers group learned about search and seizure.

“We’re building a relationship with Long Creek (juvenile center), we’re trying to make monthly visits to interact with the youth there,” Ruby said.

By invitation, police often will speak to groups, including those in the immigrant community.

“Sometime there’s this fear toward police so we go in and try to break that. We’re just like everyone else, call us when you need us,” Ruby said.

The Portland Police Department Youth Services Division, with sponsorship from the Boy Scouts of America, formed the Portland Police Explorer Post #2671, which is an active post, Ruby said. The department also partnered with Art At Work this month for the presentation of two original performances — “Radio Calls” with Portland police officers and “The Weeping City” with students from Portland High School.

“The Weeping City” was a production by Maine Inside Out with Portland High School students and explored their relationship with the police. Art At Work’s “Radio Calls” was a performance by Portland police officers about their lives, work and interactions with Portland’s youth. A facilitated dialogue with officers, students and audience followed the performances.

A police officer for over five years, a patrol officer for four years, Ruby said his favorite event is Shop With a Cop. “It’s my favorite event of the year by far because I think the kids really enjoy it,” he said.

Police work with Portland Recreation Department to pick applicants, trying to select a child from each of eight rec sites. Portland Pie Co. sponsored pizzas for an after-shopping gift-wrapping session.

“We’re just trying to have a positive interaction with youth and also teach them the art of giving, because they’re shopping for their families for the holidays,” Ruby said.

There isn’t a budget for Shop With a Cop; “we exist on different grants and donations,” Ruby said.

“When it comes to Shop With a Cop, that’s being funded by our two police unions. ... That’s coming out of officers’ pockets, so not only are they out there interacting on their own time, they’re also paying for it out of their own pocket,” he said.

While hard data on the results aren’t easy to track, Ruby said interacting with young people pays obvious benefits. Young people who are willing to provide eyewitness information or diffuse a tense situation and be helpful to police show that these programs make a connection. Also, there’s the public relations aspect.

“Usually when we show up on scene, no matter whoever is involved, it’s usually for some negative reason. Whoever’s in a good mood when they’re in a car accident?” Ruby said.

Seng ch ai T h ai C uis ine Party Tray Special Convenient at your location!

Choose from: 15 Delicious Appetizers, 10 Delicious Entrées

ONLY $20.99

LUNCH SPECIAL 3 Entrée Items with Appetizer or Soup...

$

7

RATED BEST THAI FOOD IN PORTLAND 4 Stars in Maine Sunday Telegram

Pick up or we deliver to Greater Portland OPEN 7 DAYS 11-10pm 207-773-1001, 207-879-2577 or 207-773-1732 Fax: 207-347-7196

803 Forest Ave., Portland We use 100% Vegetable Oil ~ No MSG! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

15% Off

Any Meal, Anytime (no other discounts may apply)

5 Off

$

AN ORDER OF $25 OR MORE

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP $

6.50

Page 8 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

Today’s PortSports event puts charity back into play WASSAILING from page one

PortSports Social Club founder Dave Surkin (headband) rallies with teammates including Shana Natelson (left) and Brooke Shubert (right) during halftime of the charity sports league’s ultimate frisbee championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium in November. PortSports will hold their third annual wassailing fundraising holiday party tonight at Urban Farm Fermentory, 200 Anderson St., Bay 4. The event, which will raise money for the Cancer Community Center, starts at 7 p.m. and costs $20 plus the donation of canned goods for the Wayside Soup Kitchen.

(MATT DODGE PHOTO)

and their peasants, wassailing allowed peasants to ask neighbors for money without being labeled as beggars.

Over the ages, the practice has co-opted a holiday tinge and become associated with the practice of gathering to sing Christmas carols door to door, as in the song, “Here We Come A-Wassailing.”

Today’s PortSports event puts the charity back into the tradition, with all proceeds from the $20-a-head ticket price going to benefit the Cancer Community Center.

Attendees are also encouraged to being non-perishable canned goods to be donated to the Wayside Soup Kitchen.

“It’s not just a fundraising event, it’s a huge charity event,” said Morgan Surkin. “We’re celebrating a good year, the work we do with our charities and all the good things to come in the new year,” she said.

Starting at 7 p.m. revelers will have a chance to browse the booths of local charities who will be in attendance to share information and solicit volunteers for their organizations, which include Breaking Ground, The Center for Preventing Hate, MENSK, Portland Youth Dance and Woodfords Family Services. “It’s a great way from them to get their name out there and share what they are all about,” said Surkin.

Attendees will also receive four raffle tickets, two of which can be used to enter raffles at the booths of the participating charities.

The prizes have a $50 value or more and include gift certificates to local restaurants and unique prizes prize packages put together by the non-profits.

Two raffle tickets will be entered for a chance at the PortSports grand prize — a Friday through Sunday stay in a slopeside condo at Sugarloaf along with two lift ticket vouchers.

At 8:30, the PortSports founders will take the stage to give a toast to the new year with cider fermented and donated by the Urban

Farm Fermentory.

Following the toast, wassailers can choose to compete for a prize package from Bard Coffee, Nomia Boutique, and Bull Moose in either the dance or air guitar competition, with the winners chosen by audience vote.

PortSports’ year-round charity sports leagues, which this winter include bowling, kickball, vollyball, wallyball and a gym class, are followed by a post-game happy hour at Rivalries, where 10 percent of all food and drink sales go to charity.

Each team in the sports leagues choose a nonprofit to play for at the beginning of the season, with the winning team in each league donating the registration fees and food and drinks sales to their charity.

For the Surkins, who formed the organization shortly after moving from New York City where such leagues are prevalent, PortSports is a social network centered around casual competitive athletics.

“I think people are drawn to be social and they want an alternative to the bar scene to meet other people. Sports provide great way to network and get to know people in more relaxed social atmosphere unlike in a bar where you can only talk about what you’re drinking,” she said.

The Surkins aim to keep the level of competition casual but fun. “We do all the casual sports to keep the competitive level within check and make sure everything stays social.

It’s a chance to relax and meet people,” said Surkin.

“We also do events like the wassailing party that are solely for charity to keep the message out there with our members,” she said.

Under the motto “Meet.Play.Give.” PortSports also organizes groups around other interests, with everything from beer and books to grilling and gourmet food, the group also organizes ski trips, Red Sox, lazer tag and roller skating excursions.

“We run the gamut, anytime we come up with an idea we’re not afraid to try it,” said Surkin.

Sunny this week, then snowy A soggy Santa hangs from a decoration in Parkside Monday following a waterlogged weekend.

The National Weather Service is calling for partly sunny conditions this week, with highs in the upper 20s today and Friday. Friday night should be mostly clear, becoming partly cloudy with lows from 12 to 18 degrees. Saturday is expected to remain mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 30s, but Sunday, snow is likely, with a 60 percent chance of snow, the weather service reported.

(DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 9

DAILY CROSSWORD TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

by Lynn Johnston

by Paul Gilligan

By Holiday Mathis lie to others, you’re a scoundrel. If you lie to yourself, you’re a visionary. Either way, you’re giving people what they want. Too much reality can be, well, too much reality.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

When was the last time you got lost on foot? Taking a walk without a destination is the sort of challenge that will encourage you to confront yourself and discover your inner resources.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).

You will be offered unvarnished triedand-true guidance. It may not seem glamorous enough to even put into practice at this point, but if you do, you’ll be glad you did.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).

There are days when you love to be alone -- the freedom revitalizes you.

But right now you have the company of those who both need and challenge you, so your precious solitude will have to wait.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You can trust yourself to do whatever is necessary whenever it is necessary. So stop worrying about the future. Think about the happiest part of your life right now. Let your thoughts rest in that place.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 16).

With great determination, you will achieve new heights. You’ll have an audience in January, and they’ll gladly pay you to hold their attention. You have money to invest in your education in February. A special relationship leads you on a daring adventure in May. You’ll be in a new position of authority in July.

Virgo and Capricorn people adore you.

Your lucky numbers are: 30, 1, 22, 49 and 16.

Pooch Café For Better or Worse LIO

ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you’re called, you respond with enthusiasm. When you’re not called, you initiate the party. Whatever happens tomorrow, you can say that you’ve lived today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You love the ones you love for their goodness and for the unique virtues they possess. It’s not about what they can do for you; it never has been. And that’s something they can feel.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have acquired a few new items or relationships, and you are trying to figure out where they fit into your world. Keep moving the pieces around. Something is bound to fit.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Those who talk too much are the same ones who think too little. Your own presentation will be strengthened by silence and reverence for social etiquette.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may work very hard at something, but you make it look effortless. You don’t want others to have to work to understand you. So you make a painstaking effort to present things as simply as possible.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes it’s hard being you. Everyone is a critic, a backseat driver, an announcer giving the play-by-play. But it takes a person with guts to perform the action that everyone else is commenting on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No matter how long you’ve lived at your current location, it seems that the one who was there before you simply cannot stop generating mail to that address. This may be more of a figurative problem than a literal one.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you

by Aaron Johnson

HOROSCOPE

by Chad Carpenter

Solution and tips at www.sudoku.com

TUNDRA WT Duck

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 thru 9.

by Mark Tatulli

Page 10 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

ACROSS 1 Building wing 4 Con game 8 Rustic home of logs 13 Sticky stuff 14 Walking stick 15 Give one’s view 16 Lira replacer 17 Ceremony 18 Liquefies 19 Latin phrase meaning “without end” 22 Building site 23 Save 24 Like a mohawk hairstyle 26 Heroic tale 29 Puts on, as a play 32 Thrashes 36 Horse’s hair 38 “__ and Circumstance” 39 Wheel rod 40 “Jack __ could eat no fat...”

41 Twosome 42 Johann Sebastian __ 43 Does drugs 44 Slyly spiteful 45 One-celled organism 47 Long story 49 Overweight 51 Church tables 56 Metro or Prizm 58 Capt.’s superior 61 Distribute in portions 63 Pealed 64 Group of three 65 __ over; scoot 66 City fellow on a ranch 67 Final 68 Horse with a fast gait 69 Thin opening 70 Storm center

1

DOWN Avoid adroitly

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 20 21 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35

Gruesome Africa’s Sierra __ Be frugal Abel’s brother One opposed Encounters Do deliberately, as a crime Gorilla Male farm animal Lay __; attack forcefully Bird’s home Equipment Charges Rattled Phi Beta __ Pixies Is concerned Give off, as rays Lively “Ali __ and the Forty Thieves” Test __ beverages; liquor Giggle’s sound

37 40 44 46 48 50 52 53

Space agcy.

Debonair Placid Trade goods or services Gizmo Fabric amounts Information on a book spine Fine display

54 Elevate 55 __ machine; casino fixture 56 Breathe with difficulty 57 Ms. Fitzgerald 59 Actor __ Julia 60 “The King __”; movie for Yul 62 “__ to Billy Joe”

Yesterday’s Answer

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 11

––––––– ALMANAC ––––––– Today is Thursday, Dec. 16, the 350th day of 2010; with 15 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place as American colonists boarded a British ship and dumped more than 300 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest tea taxes.

On this date: In 1770, composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany.

In 1809, the French Senate granted a divorce decree to Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Josephine.

In 1907, 16 U.S. Navy battleships, which came to be known as the “Great White Fleet,” set sail on a 14-month round-theworld voyage to demonstrate American sea power.

In 1944, the World War II Battle of the Bulge began as German forces launched a surprise attack against Allied forces in Belgium (the Allies were eventually able to beat the Germans back).

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a national state of emergency in order to fight “world conquest by Communist imperialism.”

In 1960, 134 people were killed when a United Air Lines DC-8 and a TWA Super Constellation collided over New York City.

In 1976, the government halted its swine flu vaccination program following reports of paralysis apparently linked to the vaccine.

In 1980, Harland Sanders, founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain, died in Shelbyville, Ky. at age 90.

In 1985, organized-crime chief Paul Castellano and bodyguard Thomas Billotti were shot to death outside a New York City restaurant on orders from John Gotti.

One year ago: Two hundred Mexican sailors raided an upscale apartment complex and killed reputed drug cartel chief Arturo Beltran Leyva in a two-hour gunbattle. Iran test-fired a missile capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe. Police fired pepper spray and beat protesters with batons outside the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen.

Today’s Birthdays: Civil rights attorney Morris Dees is 74. Actress Joyce Bulifant is 73. Actress Liv Ullmann is 72. TV producer Steven Bochco is 67. Pop musician Tony Hicks (The Hollies) is 65. Pop singer Benny Andersson (ABBA) is 64. Actor Ben Cross is 63. Rock singer-musician Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) is 61. Rock musician Bill Bateman (The Blasters) is 59. Actor Xander Berkeley is 55. Actress Alison LaPlaca is 51. Actor Sam Robards is 49. Actor Jon Tenney is 49.

Actor Benjamin Bratt is 47. Country singersongwriter Jeff Carson is 47. Actor Daniel Cosgrove is 40. Rhythm-and-blues singer Michael McCary is 39. Country musician Chris Scruggs is 28. Actress Hallee Hirsh is 23. Actress Anna Popplewell is 22.

THURSDAY PRIME TIME 8:00

Dial 5 6

7

8

8:30

DECEMBER 16, 2010

9:00

9:30

10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

CTN 5 Community Bulletin Board

Community 30 Rock (In WCSH (In Stereo) Stereo) Å Å Bones Human remains WPFO are found by a railroad.

(In Stereo) (PA) Å A Charlie Brown ChristWMTW mas (In Stereo) Å

10

MPBN

11

WENH

The Office Outsourced The Office The Office “Nepotism” Å “Counsel- “Andy’s ing” Å Play” Å Å Bones A man dressed News 13 on FOX (N) as Santa is blown up. (In Stereo) (PA) Å Grey’s Anatomy The Private Practice “Take staff tries to deal with Two” The doctors mourn trauma. Å the loss of Dell.

Maine Maine Ex- Doc Martin Danny asks Schoodic: Where Sea Watch perience Louisa to move in with Meets Land him. (In Stereo) Å Roadside Windows to Nature “The Desert Li- Frontline “Close to Stories Å the Wild Å ons” (In Stereo) Å Home” Middle-class copes with uncertainty.

The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries Entourage TMZ (N) (In Stefan plans to deal with “Rose” Bonnie casts a “Talk Show” Stereo) Å Katherine. Å difficult spell. Å The Big $..! My Dad CSI: Crime Scene The Mentalist Scientist Bang Says (N) Å Investigation Langston is exposed to a deadly Theory (N) fights to survive. toxin. (In Stereo) Å Without a Trace Å Without a Trace Å Curb Earl

News Tonight Show With Jay Leno Frasier According “The Friend” to Jim Å News 8 Nightline WMTW at (N) Å 11PM (N) Charlie Rose (N) (In Stereo) Å William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible (In Stereo) Å (DVS) Extra (N) Punk’d (In (In Stereo) Stereo) Å Å WGME Late Show News 13 at With David 11:00 Letterman Late Night Star Trek

12

WPXT

13

WGME

17

WPME

24

DISC Brew Masters (N) Å

25

FAM Find Nmo

26

USA Law & Order: SVU

27

NESN NHL Hockey: Bruins at Canadiens

28

CSNE NBA Basketball Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics. (Live)

Celtics

30

ESPN Basketball Score.

High School Basketball

SportsCenter (Live) Å

31

ESPN2 Wm. Volleyball

SportsCtr Women’s College Volleyball

Criminal Minds Å

33

ION

34

DISN “High School Musical 3”

35

TOON Total

Scooby

36

NICK My Wife

My Wife

37

American Chopper

Auction

Oddities

Movie: ›››‡ “The Incredibles” (2004) Holly Hunter Å

MSNBC Countdown

Burn Notice (N) Å Bruins

Criminal Minds Å Fish

Daily

Brew Masters Å The 700 Club Å

Burn Notice (N) Å

White Collar Å

Instigators Daily

Daily

SportsNet Sports Nation

Criminal Minds Å

Criminal Minds Å

Suite/Deck Suite/Deck Phineas

Phineas

Adventure Regular

King of Hill King of Hill Fam. Guy

Fam. Guy

Chris

Lopez

Chris

Lopez

Rachel Maddow Show The Last Word

The Nanny The Nanny Countdown

38

CNN Parker Spitzer (N)

Larry King Live (N)

Anderson Cooper 360 (N) Å

40

CNBC Trash Inc: The

CNBC Titans

American Greed

Mad Money

Greta Van Susteren

The O’Reilly Factor

41

FNC

The O’Reilly Factor (N) Hannity (N)

43

TNT

NBA Basketball Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics. Å

44

LIFE Pawn

Pawn

Police- Dallas

NBA Basketball: Spurs at Nuggets

Movie: “A Diva’s Christmas Carol” (2000) Å

How I Met How I Met

Police- Dallas

Police- Dallas

Cellblock 6

46

TLC

47

AMC Movie: ››› “White Christmas” (1954) Bing Crosby. Å

48

HGTV First Place First Place Property

49

TRAV David Blaine-Struggle

David Blaine

Carnivore Man, Food Bar Food Paradise

50

A&E The First 48 Å

The First 48 (N) Å

Peace

52

BRAVO Real Housewives

Real Housewives

Real Housewives

Property

Movie: ››› “White Christmas” House

Hunters Peace

Hunters

House

Peace

Peace

Happens

Real

55

HALL Movie: “Gift of the Magi” (2010) Marla Sokoloff.

56

SYFY Movie: › “Ultraviolet”

Movie: ››› “Total Recall” (1990) Arnold Schwarzenegger.

57

ANIM The Blue Planet Å

Blue Planet

Blue Planet

The Blue Planet Å

58

HIST Ancient Aliens Å

Ancient Aliens (N)

Brad Meltzer’s Dec.

Ax Men “Alaska” Å

Movie: ››› “New Jersey Drive” (1995) Å

60

BET

61

COM Tosh.0

62 67 68

FX

Two Men

TVLND Sanford TBS

American Gangster

Highlander

The Mo’Nique Show

Movie: ››› “Wedding Crashers” (2005) Owen Wilson. Å

Daily Show Colbert

Two Men

Two Men

Two Men

It’s Always Sunny

It’s Always Sunny

Sanford

Raymond

Raymond

Raymond

Roseanne Roseanne

Movie: ›› “Fred Claus” (2007) Vince Vaughn.

76

SPIKE Gangland Å

78

OXY Snapped Å

146

TCM Movie: “Judge Hardy and Son”

Raymond

Funniest Commercials Conan (N)

TNA Wrestling (N) (In Stereo) Å

Phowned! TNA Re.

Law Order: CI

Law Order: CI

DAILY CROSSWORD

BY WAYNE ROBERT WILLIAMS

Movie: “Gift of the Magi” (2010) Marla Sokoloff.

1 5 10 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 25 27 29 30 33 35 38

Law Order: CI

Movie: ››‡ “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever”

ACROSS Ruinous fate Halloween character Peter the Great’s title Shade of beige Doughnut-shaped object Needle case Track do-over Ans. Waikiki greeting Affirmative vote “Touched by an Angel” star Odd-toed ungulates Game show do-over Benefactor Yale Sandhurst sch.

Feathery scarves Lead-bearing mineral Tail of a fib or spat?

With 40A, Broadcast

40 42 43 45 46 47 49 53 57 58 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 1 2

Hardys

do-overs See 38A __ Moines Double dagger Nabisco treat Charitable org.

Start of a path?

Golfer’s do-over Capital of Turkey Diarist Nin __-relief Jewish folklore superman Small, metallic sound Wimbledon do-over Restless craving Smelting residues Noted Israeli diplomat Kremlin refusal Quizzes Tears DOWN Remove suet Sunshine State city

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 22 24 26 28 30 31 32 34 35 36

Lowest deck Superlatively saccharine Heaviness meas.

Speck Waitresses’ full load Doctor, often FDR’s successor “Let Me Go, Lover!” singer Brewer Precipitous Also in Avignon Come of age Noble title Chart anew Writing one’s name One Snoop Sister Abhor Auction offer Single entity Numbskull Goddess of discord Former Mideast nation: abbr.

Sodium hydroxide

37 Kyushu volcano 39 __ Ababa, Ethiopia 41 Cursory inspection 44 Musical works 46 Trip by plane 48 Art print, briefly 49 Morning in Marseille 50 Oneness

51 Simple weapon 52 White poplar tree 54 Acceptable excuse 55 Short summary 56 Grace closings 59 Army NCO 62 WWII landing craft 63 Switchback turn

Yesterday’s Answer

Page 12 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

One verdict: ‘They didn’t sing, they just kind of hummed’ BENCHES from page one

“If we’re not feeling proud and enthusiastic and just plain excited, we’ll go back to an RFQ,” said Soley.

“I think overall the top ones do have sophisticated designs and the use of materials was well thought out, but I feel like what’s missing is there’s not that little extra spark, they’re still a little safe,” said Pandora LaCasse, PAC member and the artist behind Portland’s holiday light sculptures.

LaCasse and others on the committee will urge the competition’s top two candidates, those who received five-to-three votes during deliberation, to reapply when the process is started anew. “I think we should keep the top two in the mix,” she said.

The committee also discussed soliciting site-specific designs and an array of sizes from artists, as some designs in the initial search were deemed too

“I think overall the top ones do have sophisticated designs and the use of materials was well thought out, but I feel like what’s missing is there’s not that little extra spark, they’re still a little safe.” — Pandora LaCasse, Public Art Committee member small or difficult to site.

“We’re concerned by the scale,” said the PAC’s Terry DeWan, who said the proposal might be in better harmony with the Bayside Trail environment “if [artists] knew they were working with a site or could do multiple benches.”

DeWan also said of the 17 submitted designs,

“they didn’t sing, they just kind of hummed.”

Alice Spencer, an artist on the nine-person commissioning committee, said the lackluster showing could be attributed to the strict language in the call for submissions.

“When we looked through the RFP, we realized there was an emphasis on slavish adherence to certain elements,” she said.

The RFP required artists to “relate to the community and use materials that reflect the environment in which they would be placed,” according to Melissa Cilley with the Bayside Trail Seating Project.

The committee already spent $4,300 of the $7,500 budgeted for the event, and will likely have to borrow $3,000 from next year’s budget to cover a second round of submissions.

“I think $3,000 is [the cost] of getting exciting pieces we can be proud of for a long time,” said Soley.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN CLASSIFIEDS Autos

Autos

For Rent

For Rent

For Rent

Furniture

BUYING all unwanted metals. $800 for large loads. Cars, trucks, heavy equipment. Free removal. (207)776-3051.

MARK’S Towing- Free junk car removal. No keys, no tires, no problems. Late models.

(207)892-1707.

PORTLAND, 570 Brighton Ave: 1 bdrm, living room, dining room Kit and bath. $685/mo plus heat & utlit. 2nd floor, plenty of parking (207)807-1004.

PORTLAND- Danforth Street, 2 bedrooms, heated, newly painted, hardwood floors. $850/mo.

Call Kay (207)773-1814.

PORTLAND- Maine MedicalStudio, 1/ 2 bedroom. Heated, off street parking, newly renovated. $475-$850.

(207)773-1814.

NEW microsuede recliner beige color must sell asking $199 call 396-5661

ANNIE’S MAILBOX Dear Annie: I am in a bit of a bind. One of my closest friends is like a female version of me. We can talk to each other about anything, from relationships to off-the-wall topics that most people would consider strange.

However, when we talk to each other about our recent sexual exploits, some not-too-subtle flirting occurs between us.

This leads me to believe she wants to be more than friends, and I know she gets the same vibe from me.

Recently, she kissed me to see if the attraction was there.

She tried to play it cool as if it meant nothing, but that kiss made me want to find out if there really could be more than just friendship between us. I’m sure she feels the same way.

I just don’t know how to go about expressing to her that I’d like to give it a try without damaging a great friendship. I’m so confused. Any suggestions? -- Chicago Dear Chicago: Ann Landers said, “Love is friendship that has caught fire.” Your friend obviously is interested in a romantic relationship, but she is waiting for you to make the next move. We say, go for it. It is possible that if things don’t work out, the friendship will be awkward for a while, although it can recover. But if you don’t take the risk, you will always wonder “what if.” Good luck.

Dear Annie: My sister’s 32-year-old daughter, “Sasha,” lives with her. Since she was a teenager, Sasha has been in and out of jail for theft and fraud. She has stolen from me and every other relative. If Sasha is in your home, you can be sure things will be missing. My sister, however, continues to think the best of her daughter.

My husband and I are having a large party to which my sister will be invited. I have no problem making sure she understands that the invitation does not extend to Sasha, but I recognize that this will offend my sister, who probably won’t come.

Can you suggest a less hurtful way to invite my sister but not her untrustworthy daughter? -- Finally Had It Dear Finally: If your sister refuses to recognize that her daughter has a serious problem, there is no way to exclude Sasha without offending her mother. You can phrase it diplomatically and apologize for not being able to invite Sasha to your party, but if your sister chooses not to come, so be it.

You cannot be expected to open your home to someone who repeatedly steals from you and will likely steal from your guests, as well.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Loving and Missing All at the Same Time,” whose 22-year-old daughter, “Lana,” is an inconsiderate slob. She doesn’t want Lana living at home next year, but her husband doesn’t support her efforts to stop enabling her. You told her to create consequences for Lana’s behavior and ask her to pay rent and contribute to the housekeeping.

I have an alternate answer. When Lana doesn’t do the dishes or laundry, who ends up doing it? I suspect it is Mom. The solution would be for her to let those things pile up while she sees a movie or takes up painting. But she can’t do it with anger or revenge. She needs to maintain a sense of humor. It also will help her to talk to someone who will listen as she blows off steam.

I bet her husband wouldn’t be so quick to accommodate Lana if he had to do her laundry, cook her food and wash her dishes. “Loving” sounds like she is carrying too much of the household load. -- L. Dear L.: We agree that Mom should not be picking up after Lana. But while it is easy to close the door to Lana’s bedroom, it is much harder to tolerate her mess in the common areas of the house. Thanks, though, for the suggestion.

PORTLAND- West End- 1 bedroom Victorian, nice building, third floor, extras. $725/mo Dr. Finkelstein (207)772-5575.

PORTLAND- Woodford’s area. 1 bedroom heated. Newly installed oak floor, just painted. $675/mo. (207)773-1814.

SCARBOROUGH 4 bedroom heated $1400/mo. Call John at (207)797-2891.

For Rent-Commercial PORTLAND Art District- 2 adjacent artist studios with utilities.

First floor. $325-$350 (207)773-1814.

For Sale

by Scott Stantis

PLUSH queen mattress set- in wrapper unopened $240 call 899-8853.

SELLING a queen pillowtop mattress set- never used $135 must sell. 396-5661.

Help Wanted SALEBAAN Motors, 235 St John St, Portland, (207)541-9088. Mechanic wanted, 10 years experience needed, well paying job $14-20/hr.

Real Estate PEAKS Island- 71 Luther St. 1880’s Greek Revival, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, $389,000. Owner broker. (207)766-2293.

Roommate Wanted SCARBOROUGH- Room for rent in luxury home. Private bath, cable, shared kitchen, parking. $450/mo. (207)883-1087.

2 large chandeliers, 6' tall, 45 lights with crystals. Asking $2,500 each, 603-466-3383.

Services

This advertising space available.

We haul anything to the dump. Basement, attic, garage cleanouts.

Insured www.thedumpguy.com (207)450-5858.

DUMP RUNS

Printed in 15,000 newspapers daily. $5 a day/obo* Call 699-5807 to place an ad.

Furniture BLACK or cherry sleighbed new in box take $295 call 899-8853.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to: anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Prickly City

PORTLAND- Munjoy Hill- 3 bedrooms, newly renovated.

Heated, $1275/mo. Call Kay (207)773-1814.

BRAND new full mattress set- in plastic $115 call 899-8853

HELPING Hands House Cleaning, 10 plus years experience.

Dependability with a smile. Call Becky (207)252-9679.

MASTER Electrician since 1972.

Repairs- whole house, rewiring, trouble shooting, fire damage, code violations, electric, water heater repairs commercial refrigeration. Fuses to breakers, generators.

Mark @ (207)774-3116.

KING pillowtop matt and boxfactory wrapped $195 need to sell quickly 396-5661

Wanted To Buy

NEW couch- plush cushionscomfy- worth $875 take $395 call 899-8853.

I buy broken or unwanted laptops. Cash today. Up to $100 for newer units. (207)233-5381.

CLASSIFIEDS • CALL 699-5807 DOLLAR-A-DAY CLASSIFIEDS: Ads must be 15 words or less and run a minimum of 5 consecutive days. Ads that run less than 5 days or nonconsecutive days are $2 per day. Ads over 15 words add 10¢ per word per day. PREMIUMS: First word caps no charge. Additional caps 10¢ per word per day.

Centered bold heading: 9 pt. caps 40¢ per line, per day (2 lines maximum) TYPOS: Check your ad the first day of publication. Sorry, we will not issue credit after an ad has run once. DEADLINES: noon, one business day prior to the day of publication. PAYMENT: All private party ads must be pre-paid. We accept checks, Visa and Mastercard credit cards and, of course, cash. There is a $10 minimum order for credit cards. CORRESPONDENCE: To place your ad call our offices 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 699-5807; or send a check or money order with ad copy to The Conway Daily Sun, P.O. Box 1940, North Conway, NH 03860. OTHER RATES: For information about classified display ads please call 699-5807.

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 13

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVENTS CALENDAR–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Thursday, Dec. 16 Maine Charitable Mechanic Association lecture: ”Boom Town, Party Town ... Casco Bay, 1760-1775.”

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maine Charitable Mechanic Association at 519 Congress St. hosts a lecture; bring your lunch; desserts and refreshments provided. Open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; talk at noon. Speaking will be historian Dr. Charles P.M. Outwin on ”Boom Town, Party Town: Frolics on the Southern Shores of Casco Bay, 1760-1775.” “The goodly people of Falmouth is Casco Bay, during its boom years of 1760 through 1775, flush with cash, knew how to party ... and neither inclement weather nor dour moralist opprobrium could long prevent them from doing so!!

From the scruffy rum-shops of Fiddle Lane and the gracious homes of Upper Middle Street, to Ring’s popular inn and tavern at Black Point, and perhaps even further afield, Falmouth’s denizens, rich and poor, found opportunities to feast, dance, and celebrate.” http://mcma-art.blogspot. com/2010/11/mcma-december-events.html

Executive Committee of ecomaine meeting 4 p.m. A meeting schedule has been issued by ecomaine, a nonprofit, municipally-owned and operated recycling and solid waste disposal facility. Executive Committee: Thursday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.; Recycling Committee: Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 4 p.m.; Finance Committee: Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m.; Full Board Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m.

Board and Committee meetings of ecomaine are open to the public and are held at the waste-to-energy plant at 64 Blueberry Road, Portland.

Business After Hours with the chamber 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Business After Hours. Join the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce for an event at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland with networking, great food, cash bar, door prizes and the big 50/50 drawing. Donations of canned/dry goods or new unwrapped toys to support the Salvation Army are appreciated.

Merry Madness 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Shop ’til you drop with the Portland Downtown District’s Merry Madness promotion in downtown Portland. Participating stores offer free refreshments and remain open until 10 p.m. The kickoff begins at the Eastland Park Hotel with music, food, and fun from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A free shuttle bus takes you throughout downtown from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.portlandmaine.com.

Trinket and Fern Merry Madness event 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Trinket and Fern will be open for Merry Madness, the Portland Downtown District’s Christmas promotion The shop at 172 Middle St. will be hosting a trunk show with Maggi Blue of Dye Lot Collective, www.dyelotcollective.com. “Maggi makes colorful, gorgeous glass pendants and ornaments. We will have refreshments and special sales on holiday ornaments and trim. Also come see our 12 Days of Christmas holiday window displays! The artist made shadow boxes are being sold/raffled to benefit the Ronald McDonald House!” http://trinketandfern.com

Portland Schools concert schedule 6 p.m. The Portland Public Schools will hold concerts at the following times and places to showcase the work of student musicians: Dec. 16, 6 p.m., Moore Middle School; Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Deering High School; Dec. 20, 6 p.m., King Middle School. All concerts are free and open to the public.

Mary Reid Kelley video screening 6 p.m. The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art will screen “You Make Me Iliad” and “Sadie, the Saddest Sadist” by Mary Reid Kelley. Reid Kelley uses painting, video, animation and performance as vehicles to examine the construction of historical war narratives culled from archive-based research. Her dialogues are written in a style that evokes epic poetry and is saturated with puns, rhyme, and wordplay that result in an exploration of the political and symbolic weight of language. The artist received her MFA from Yale University and recently had her first solo exhibition at the Fredericks & Freiser Gallery in New York.

The screening is free and open to the public.

Film screening: ‘Gasland’ at SPACE 7:30 p.m. “The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudia Arabia of natural gas” just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called ‘Gasland.’ Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.” $7/$5 for SPACE members, all ages.

Routines are performed during tryouts for the Lady Red Claws dance team. The Maine Red Claws basketball team will host a food drive for Good Shepherd Food Bank at tonight’s game. The donations will be collected in the Maine Red Claws 2011 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck, provided by Quirk Chevrolet, which will be parked in front of the arena. (COURTESY IMAGE)

Red Claws fans help Good Shepherd Food Bank

‘My Dog Tulip’ at Movies at the Museum

7 p.m. The Red Claws will join with presenting sponsor Quirk Chevrolet to collect donations for the Good Shepherd Food Bank during the team’s second annual Food Drive. Fans are encouraged to bring canned or other nonperishable food items to the Red Claws game, where they will be collected in a pickup truck provided by Quirk in front of the arena. Volunteers from Good Shepherd will be on hand to collect the food items, and everyone making a donation will be entered to win prizes provided

by Quirk Chevrolet and the Red Claws. Tickets for these and all Red Claws home games and can be purchased online at www.maineredclaws.com

6:30 p.m. “My Dog Tulip” at Portland Museum of Art as part of the Movies at the Museum series. Friday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m.; also Sunday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 2, 2 p.m. “Beautifully animated and featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer, the late Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini, My Dog Tulip is a bittersweet retrospective account of author J. R. Ackerley’s 16-year relationship with his adopted Alsatian, Tulip. A profound and subtle meditation on the strangeness that lies at the heart of all relationships, My Dog Tulip was written, directed, and animated by award-winning filmmakers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger and is the first animated feature ever to be entirely hand drawn and painted utilizing paperless computer technology.

Friday, Dec. 17 Lincoln Middle School farming forums 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sixth graders at Lincoln Middle School in Portland will host forums with farmers from diverse backgrounds at the school, located at 522 Stevens Ave. One forum will take place in the school library, and another will be held simultaneously in Room 209. “Panelists include Lincoln parents, staff members, new Mainers from Somalia and Sudan and other community members. Some work on farms, while others raise honey bees or grow medicinal plants in their backyards. The forum is part of a cross-cultural unit of study based on the novel, ‘Seedfolks’ by Paul Fleischman. The novel takes place in a forgotten part of Cleveland where garbage, rats and violence have taken over. The characters come from various backgrounds and ethnic groups, but each has faced adversity. They slowly get to know each other by transforming a vacant lot into a garden, and a real community is born.” www2.portlandschools.org

Holiday Revels Open House at the Falmouth Memorial Library 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Holiday Revels Open House at the Falmouth Memorial Library takes place. Enjoy storytelling with Jodi Fein, music by Ralph Warnock, refreshments and good cheer. Free and open to the community. Bring the family!

Sponsored by the Friends and Trustees of the Falmouth Memorial Library. www.falmouth.lib.me.us. 781-2351.

Christmas concert at the SoPo Nazarene Church 6:30 p.m. Christmas concert at the South Portland Nazarene Church, Ernie Grant and the Joy Group sponsoring the event, 525 Highland Ave., South Portland. Featuring Voices of Grace (Leo Mathieu, Deb Sirois and Ed Beecher); Todd and Katie Daley; Bob Porter; Rebecca Darling; the Youth Group; Cathy Crothers and Diane Saito; Terri Sires; and Jim Gerry (Sound). Free admission.

Season of Light at the Planetarium 7 p.m. Season of Light: Southworth Planetarium’s annual holiday show that explores the astronomy and history of the holiday season: from Christmas to Hannukah to the Solstice. We also examine the “Star of Bethlehem.” Assuming it was a natural event, what might it have been? A supernova; a planetary conjunction or some other celestial event.

Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., Portland. Also Dec. 18-19. Check times at 780-4249. www.usm.maine. edu/planet

Nutcracker Burlesque at the St. Lawrence Arts Center 7:30 p.m. It’s time again for Nutcracker Burlesque at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St. “Come see the show that started it all! This year’s show brings new choreography, a new story, and sexy new dances to the stage at St. Lawrence. Don’t miss your chance to see the show that was selected by The Portland Phoenix as ‘Portland’s Best Annual (hopefully) Event.’” Tickets are $12, on sale at Longfellow Books or online at www.vividmotion.org.

They go fast, so get yours early! Shows are Friday through Sunday, Dec. 17-19 and Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 21-23. This year’s show is sponsored by Warren Memorial Foundation, Shipyard Brewing Company, Gorham SelfStorage, Longfellow Books, and The Portland Phoenix.

“Director Rachel Stults Veinot, weaves together a story of love and lust to create a world where true love finds a way to bring two people together. This year, our main character Clara, played by none other than local favorite Amy Gieseke (rhymes with whisky), finds herself throwing yet another festive holiday party for friends; including her new boyfriend, Big Guns Antonowicz as the Rat King, and his wandering eyes.” www.stlawrencearts.org see next page

Page 14 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVENTS CALENDAR––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from preceding page

Saturday, Dec. 18 Kennel Shop in Scarborough Christmas party 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Kennel Shop in Scarborough is hosting a Christmas party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are collecting donations for the Animal Welfare Society shelter residents. For more information, www.animalwelfaresociety.org or call 985-3244.

Pet adoptions at Pet Smart in Biddeford 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Animal Welfare Society canines available for adoption will be on hand at Pet Smart in Biddeford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get their photo taken with Santa and to spread good cheer. For more information, www.animalwelfaresociety.org or call 985-3244.

Pet photos at Pet Smart in Biddeford 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pet Smart in Biddeford will host the Animal Welfare Society for photos of your pet with Santa; $5 from the sale of each photo goes directly to the Animal Welfare Society. Sunday also. For more information, www. animalwelfaresociety.org or call 985-3244.

Portland Green Independent Committee Annual Meeting, community potluck at Meg Perry 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Portland Green Independent Committee Annual Meeting takes place at the Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress St. “Solstice/Yule celebration and potluck (open to the public), where we’ll converse plan and warm each other in the spirit of the season.” Potluck from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

N.C. Wyeth gallery talk by Sy Epstein at the Portland Museum of Art 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Gallery talk at the Portland Museum of Art. Join Museum Docent Sy Epstein for a gallery talk about artist N.C. Wyeth. Free with museum admission. www.portlandmuseum.org

‘The Gift Of The Magi’ 2 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 7730333. oldportplayhouse.com

Peaks Island authors open house 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. “For the Love of Peaks — Island Portraits & Stories: A Collection” by Fran Houston and “A Glimpse of Old Peaks Island: Through Rose-Colored Glasses” by Alice Boyce, Eunice Curran, Ellin Gallant, Reta Morrill and Joyce O’Brien. Both books embody rich histories and photographs. The Inn on Peaks, 33 Island Ave, will host the authors. “Featuring wonderful music by Ronda Dale and Kevin Attra. A check will be presented to Peaks Island Tax and Fuel Assistance for 10 percent of the gross sold-out first printing sales of ‘For the Love of Peaks’ to keep someone warm this winter! Please FMI contact fran_houston@hotmail.com, other info at www.fortheloveofpeaks.com, http://www.facebook.com/fortheloveofpeaks, www.aglimpseofoldpeaksisland.com, www.myspace.com/ wheeedoggieband, www.cascobaylines.com.”

Annual Portland Harbor Boat Parade of Lights 4:30 p.m. The boat leaves at 4:30 p.m. and the parade begins at 4:45 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children (5-9) and a majority of the proceeds will be going to Sail Maine, to learn more about Sail Maine you can visit their website at www.sailmaine.org. Tickets are on sale now at Casco Bay Lines, for questions about tickets please contact Caitlin Gildart at 774-7871, ext. 105 or e-mail at caityb@cascobaylines.com. To register your boat in the parade please call Chris Kean at 408-7525 or e-mail at boatparadeoflights@gmail.com

Home for Christmas at Anthony’s 7 p.m. Many of Anthony’s Alumni singing a wide selection of Christmas songs and standards. Special six-course Christmas dinner, $39.95 and 1/2 price for children under 10. www.anthonysdinnertheater.com

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ 8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the holiday classic. Dec. 2-19, Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Christmas with Renaissance Voices 8 p.m. Christmas with Renaissance Voices at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 143 State St. $15 at the door; $12 in advance at Starbird Music in Portland, Longfellow Books in Portland or Books Etc. in Falmouth; $5 for students with a valid student ID. Renaissance Voices is a 21-voice, auditioned, a cappella chorus based in Portland, Maine. We specialize in music from the medieval period through the 17th century, but our performances regularly feature more contemporary work, including

premieres of pieces by both new and established composers. Concerts also feature short readings that complement the themes of the musical selections. www. renaissancevoices.org/repertoire.html

Sunday, Dec. 19 Skate for the Salvation Army Toy Drive 1.20 p.m. Family Ice Center, Falmouth. A family filled Christmas event — Christmas tree lighting, a skate show, Santa and lots of skating fun. “This is a tremendous way for the family to get involved to help the less fortunate in the Portland community. Helping a child this year is easy, simply bring a toy when you come to the Family Ice Center in Falmouth and donate it to the Salvation Army which will make sure it goes to a needy child this Christmas.” All skate hire fees ($5 per person) for the Public Skate Session will also be donated to the Salvation Army. Family Ice Center Falmouth, 20 Hat Trick Drive Falmouth.

Service of Lessons and Carols in OOB 4 p.m. St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church will hold a traditional Service of Lessons and Carols based on the program of King’s College Chapel in England. The service is open to all, is free, and will be followed by a reception. Everyone is invited to this celebration service which contains passages from Holy Scripture and traditional music. St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church worships at Cathedral Pines Chapel at 156 Saco Ave. in Old Orchard Beach. The Rev. Jeffrey W. Monroe is Vicar. For additional information contact 799-5141.

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ 2 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the holiday classic. Dec. 2-19, Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Old Orchard Beach benefit party 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Whaler holiday party, 20 Staples St. in Old Orchard Beach. All donations go to the Old Orchard Beach Food Bank and The Salvation Army. Live acoustic music with Quiet Riot act; mystery bartender; potluck buffet — bring your favorite dish; $10 Yankee swap (bring a gift if you wish to participate but no alcohol). Ages 21 and over.

For more information, 934-9853.

Solstice Dawning at the Planetarium 7 p.m. “Solstice Dawning,” celestial poetry evening. “We celebrate the winter solstice with poetry! The Southworth Planetarium offers an evening of verse, prose and the Universe. During this event, local writers recite poetical works about the cosmos, nature, love, and much more. This year’s ‘Solstice Dawning’ theme is light and dark. Admission by donation.” Call 780-4249 to reserve your space.

‘Solstice Dawning’ Celestial Poetry Evening 7 p.m. Celebrate the Winter Solstice with poetry and stars. The USM Southworth Planetarium offers an evening of verse, prose and the Universe down in the star dome theatre. Three celestial poetry evenings each year. During this year’s final celestial poetry evening, local writers recite poetical works about the universe, nature, love the stars and much more. The theme of this year’s “Solstice Dawning” is light and dark. To reserve your space for an event or for more information, send a reply or call 780-4249.

‘A Child’s Christmas In Wales’ and ‘A Christmas Memory’ 7:30 p.m. “A Child’s Christmas In Wales” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” performed by Timepiece Theatre Co., Sun. and Mon., Dec. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. $10-$12. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland.

773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Monday, Dec. 20 Mad Horse’s take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ 7 p.m. Mad Horse Theatre Company offers a production of “A Christmas Carol” that will not be soon forgotten. Founding company members, current members, and some very special guests will join forces for a revival of the Mad Horse Christmas Radio Show — a madcap depiction of the effort to produce a radio play of “A Christmas Carol.” “Featuring hilarious performances and the merriest of holiday songs, this show brings you behind the scenes of an old-fashioned radio program, where nothing ever goes quite as planned.

Mad Horse performed this show many years ago, and is bringing it back for a whole new audience to enjoy. This event is a benefit to support Mad Horse’s 25th Anniversary Season.” Performances run Dec. 20 through 23, 7 p.m., at the theater’s new home in the Hutchins School, 24 Mosher St., South Portland. “So whether you’ve been waxing nostalgic for the old Christmas Show, or you want to start a new holiday tradition, please join us for an evening full of fun, holiday spirit, and tasty seasonal treats served before

and after the show.” For more information, call 730-2389, or visit www.madhorse.com.

Mid-winter’s Eve at Stonehenge 7 p.m. For the first time, Professor Patrick Peoples will present his summer Stonehenge program on the night before the winter solstice, at Southworth Planetarium. ”Professor Peoples conducts a tour of Stonehenge, one of the ancient world’s most famous structures. What was its purpose? Who built it? How was it used as an astronomical observatory? Astronomers believe that Stonehenge’s designers might have used it as an eclipse prediction device. As we’ll have a total lunar eclipse on the solstice, what better time is there to attend a Stonehenge lecture!” Admission by donation.

A Child’s Christmas In Wales’ and ‘A Christmas Memory’ 7:30 p.m. “A Child’s Christmas In Wales” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” performed by Timepiece Theatre Co., Sun. and Mon., Dec. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. $10-$12. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland.

773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Tuesday, Dec. 21 College of The Atlantic Holiday Open House 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. College of The Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Holiday Open House: Share holiday sweets and son with the island community at COA’s annual holiday party, with music from the MDI High School Choir in the Leslie C. Brewer Great Hall inside The Turrets, COA south entrance.

Contact Lyn Berzinis at 288-5015, lberzinis@coa.edu, or 801-5625.

Blue Christmas Service 6:30 p.m. Hope.Gate.Way. (on the ground floor of the Gateway parking garage, just beyond the Eastland Park Hotel, at 185 High St. “While the world is rejoicing, for some, the days leading to Christmas can be filled with pain and sadness. Loss of a spouse, child, or parent… a broken relationship … job loss or financial insecurity… seasonal depression — these can make the holiday season a difficult time for many. On the longest night of the year, we invite all who wish to come together for a time of quiet, meditative worship: to acknowledge their pain, to be assured that they are not alone, and to find time and space to reflect and find comfort.” www.hopegateway.com. or www.newlightportland.org

Gong Meditation on the solstice 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In the early morning of Dec. 21 there will be a total eclipse of the Full Moon. That evening will be the exact moment of Winter Solstice. “To better attune to these solar and lunar energies, Dragonfly Taijiquan will be hosting a ‘Gong Meditation’ that evening at its studio in Portland, at 222 St John Street, Suite 240. “Gongs are ancient instruments used for thousands of years to promote healing, balance and intuition. Come, relax, and experience the sounds of gongs, singing bowls and other sound meditation instruments in a musical improvisation by Todd Glacy of Saco River Yoga. On this day of the Winter Solstice and Full Moon, be immersed in the primordial, resonant, healing, sacred, vibratory sounds of the gong. Bring a pillow, mat or blanket to lie on, or a meditation cushion.” There is a suggested donation of $10 to $15. Advance registration is encouraged. FMI or to register contact: 761-2142 or dragonflytaiji@roadrunner.com.

‘The Gift Of The Magi’ 7 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 7730333. oldportplayhouse.com

Total lunar eclipse viewing at USM’s Southworth Planetarium 12:45 a.m. to 4 a.m. There will be a total lunar eclipse on Dec. 21 (in the early morning hours). The Southworth Planetarium is open for the Lunar Eclipse. “We’ll open our doors for the seething throng at 12:45 a.m. (Yes, 12:45 in the morning!) We’ll have a tedious, indefensibly long eclipse lecture at 1 a.m. Viewing begins at 1:30 a.m. (Weather permitting, of course.) Free and open to the public. ... Provided the skies are clear (or at least partly cloudy), we will observe the Full Moon moves into Earth’s shadow cone, During its passage, we’ll watch our planet’s curved shadow proceed across the lunar facade until the Moon is completely immersed. During this immersion, a phase called “totality,” the Moon generally appears reddish, not dark, because Earth’s upper atmosphere will direct the red portion of the Sun’s light into the shadow and therefore onto the eclipsed moon.” http://usm.maine.edu/planet/ see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010— Page 15

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from preceding page

Wednesday, Dec. 22 ‘The Gift Of The Magi’ 7 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22.

Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

Secret Lives of Comedians 7:30 p.m. Secret Lives of Comedians at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Boulevard, Portland. Produced by Cloud Morris and Brian Brinegar, this monthly series features stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, “surprised guests” and other disturbing delights! Musical guest Pete Witham. $10. www.lucidstage.com/

Thursday, Dec. 23 The Victorian Nutcracker at Merrill Auditorium 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Christmas comes with its own set of family traditions and for many, the season isn’t considered complete without seeing the only Nutcracker set in Maine. Portland Ballet Company brings its own local version of the Nutcracker to life in celebration of the holiday season again this year with its beloved The Victorian Nutcracker. The show, which takes the classic Nutcracker story and sets it in historical Portland with sets, costumes, and characters inspired by the Victoria Mansion, Hermann Kotzschmar and others, will be performed twice at Merrill Auditorium on Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The cast of professional dancers from the Portland Ballet Company, accompanied by students from the Company’s highly regarded school, and a professional live orchestra, is known for a lively, entertaining and beautiful Nutcracker with breathtaking scenery and vivid costumes. The story unfolds as young Olivia follows her Nutcracker Prince to the enchanted Kingdom of the Sweets, where she is dazzled by dancers from around the world - from the Russian Trepak to the Sugarplum Fairy. Tickets are available through PortTIX at www.porttix.com or 8420800 or in person, 20 Myrtle Ave., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Ticket prices range from $17-$47 (plus $5 handling fee for online sales).

For more information about Portland Ballet, its school and programs, visit www.portlandballet.org or call 7729671.

EVENTS CALENDAR ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Next Level Church Christmas celebration 5 p.m. Using hundreds of volunteers, Next Level Church is hosting a “lifechanging Christmas celebration” at the Abromson Center on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. The event is completely free, although Next Level Church is asking attendees to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Wayside Food Rescue Program. The church hopes to make the largest single donation by a church in Wayside’s history as a result of this event. At the event, Next Level Church is also offering free family photos with Santa, live, professional Christmas music, a special kids experience, and a variety of Christmas gifts and surprises for those in attendance. Those who want to attend can get their free tickets by visiting www.nlc.tv/christmas. The photos, kids activities, and Christmas treats will be available beginning at 5 p.m., with doors to the auditorium opening at 5:45 p.m. The Christmas celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Due to an overwhelming demand for the free tickets, organizers have been forced to add a second experience time and make more seats for everyone wanting to attend the Christmas celebration. There will now be a celebration at 6 p.m. and another at 7:45 p.m., the church announced. Next Level Church was started in April 2008 as part of the Association of Related Churches. They currently meet every weekend in three locations: Portland; Newington, N.H.; and Dover, N.H. They also operate a nonprofit coffeehouse in Dover, N.H. called Kaleo Coffee which donates its proceeds to community causes. Learn more about Next Level Church by visiting www. nlc.tv or about this event at www.nlc. tv/christmas.

Sunday, Dec. 26 Phyzkidz! at SPACE 2 p.m. Phyzkidz! Norman Ng, Drew Richardson, Yo-Yo People come to SPACE Gallery. “In the grand tradition of vaudeville, Acorn Productions has assembled a line-up of world-class performers from all over the country to entertain kids of all ages with a unique blend of expert juggling, incredible illusions, mystifying magic, unbelievable feats of dexterity, and side-splitting physical comedy.” $12 adults; $10 students/seniors; $8 kids 12 and under, all ages.

Monday, Dec. 27

‘The Gift Of The Magi’

‘Celebrate Kids’ vacation camp

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. “The Gift Of The Magi” an original musical set in 1940s Maine. Dec 7-23, Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. Added shows, Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$22. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland. 773-0333. oldportplayhouse.com

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Celebrate Kids” vacation camp, Dec. 27-31 for kids ages 8-14. Register today. Arts and crafts, movies, activities and more.

Space is limited. Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St. Portland. (207) 7730333. For more info go to oldportplayhouse.com

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’

Acorn Productions’ annual Phyzgig festival

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine welcomes kids for a special performance. “Act out the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ in this special theatre workshop where we put on a play in just one day! We will learn the story, rehearse it and perform it for our families! $5 for members, $6 plus admission for non-members.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register call 828-1234, x247.

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Acorn Productions announces its 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 2010. The week includes six Main Stage Vaudeville Shows at the Portland Stage Company (including two shows on New Year’s Eve), eight Phyzkidz shows at SPACE Gallery and a rare appearance by Phyzgig’s

Artistic Director and Peaks Island resident Avner the Eccentric, who will be performing his full-length show for the first time in four years in Portland.

Tuesday the Phyzkidz shows are at SPACE Gallery. www.phyzgig.org

Tuesday, Dec. 28 Acorn Productions’ annual Phyzgig festival at SPACE 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Acorn Productions announces its annual Phyzgig festival. The week includes six Main Stage Vaudeville Shows at the Portland Stage Company (including two shows on New Year’s Eve), eight Phyzkidz shows at SPACE Gallery and a rare appearance by Phyzgig’s Artistic Director and Peaks Island resident Avner the Eccentric, who will be performing his full-length show for the first time in four years in Portland.

Tuesday the Phyzkidz shows are at SPACE Gallery. www.phyzgig.org

Avner the Eccentric 7 p.m. Avner the Eccentric fundraiser, Portland Stage Company. Phyzgig’s own Master of Mirth presents his full-length show as a special Phyzgig fundraiser.

Wednesday, Dec. 29 Phykidz at SPACE; vaudeville at Portland Stage 11 a.m. Phykidz (SPACE Gallery); 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Vaudeville shows at Portland Stage Company.

Thursday, Dec. 30 Phykidz at SPACE; vaudeville at Portland Stage 11 a.m. Phykidz (SPACE Gallery); and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. vaudeville shows at Portland Stage Company.

Holiday blood drive 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. FairPoint recently teamed up with WCSH-TV and WLBZ-TV, the American Red Cross and other community partners for a first-ever holiday blood drive, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The drive will be held in two different locations around the state in hopes of attracting a large number of donors during this challenging time of year. Eligible donors may visit the Holiday Inn by the Bay, located at 88 Spring Street in Portland, or the Bangor Elks Lodge at 108 Odlin Road in Bangor to give blood.

Call 1-800 RED CROSS or visit online at redcrossblood.org or fairpointbundleupblooddrive.org.

Friday, Dec. 31 Plunge at East End Beach noon. “Be bold in the cold with a plunge into the Atlantic to support the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to reduce global warming pollution. The bone-chilling fun will take place at East End Beach in Portland, Maine on Friday, Dec. 31st at noon (the ‘warmest’part of the day!)” Folks in polar bear costumes and hot coffee from Coffee by Design and pastries from Whole Foods. The two top fundraisers will receive $50 gift certificates to L.L. Bean, while additional top fundraisers will receive commemorative NRCM tote bags or caps. To participate, email or call stacie@nrcm. org, 430-0127, with your name and contact information and we will send you an information packet. http:// supporters.nrcm.org/polar_plunge.

Page 16 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, December 16, 2010

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SPORTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Skiing Maine on the cheap Bargains abound with ski area promotions, special discounts

BY MARTY BASCH SPECIAL TO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Skiing and snowboarding on the cheap is a sport unto itself. It demands research, planning, teamwork at times, following a playbook of sorts and flawless execution.

The savvy skier with a favorite mountain has already reaped rewards this season by purchasing a season pass long ago when prices are at their lowest before they start to creep up past Labor Day, Columbus Day and into twig season.

The smart snowboarder knows about two-forone non-holiday midweek specials, the joys of night skiing and those Sunday afternoon lift tickets that allow for some sleeping-in time.

Both know about special events, helpful web sites like liftopia.com, frequent skier value cards and signing up for e-newsletters from ski areas.

Snagging a free ride is the ultimate for a snow sports lover and the easiest way to do that is live a long life. According to the National Ski Areas Association, skiers 80 and above ski free at Mt. Abram.

Those 75 and up can ski free at Lost Valley, Black Mountain in Rumford and Big Rock. The young crowd (70 and up) gets tickets at Saddleback and Camden Snow Bowl.

Can’t wait until then? It’s fairly easy to score a Maine lift ticket for about $40 and under.

Maine loves Mainers and Sugarloaf shows that

Finding inexpensive lift tickets in Maine includes $39 Maine Days at Sugarloaf. (Photo courtesy of Sugarloaf)

love on their Wednesday non-holiday Maine Days when lift tickets are $39 to Pine Tree State residents (who have a Maine ID to prove it). In January, the Loaf has its Maine Family Sundays (except Jan. 16) where a Maine family (with ID) can ski for $39 a person. A family is at least one adult and a child under 18. That’s not bad since a regular lift ticket is $77 for adults and $53 for juniors. Sugarloaf has half-day tickets starting at noon. Not ready for the whole mountain? Try the $17 Amosland ticket good on the Snubber, Sawduster and Skidway lifts.

How do you get around Sunday River’s $79 lift ticket price? Ski the River at night on select days through the season using the South Ridge Express and Chondola lifts. There’s a four-hour window from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for $29 adult lift tickets. Or, connect with Sunday River on Facebook for their $25 Facebook Fridays.

Mt. Abram is increasing its value menu this season with two-for-one lift tickets on Thursdays and $75 Carload Fridays. There are half-day all-mountain tickets for $30 as well as full-day Westside only passes for $30.

Shawnee Peak is chock full of bargains. Mondays are Carload Dayz at $79 a vehicle (except Dec. 27, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21; $99 Dec. 20 and Feb. 28). Ski Monday Madness at night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $13 ($16

Dec. 27, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21). Tuesdays are two-forone (except Dec. 28, Feb. 22) while Wednesdays are Family Day with one adult ticket and one junior ticket for $55 (holiday weeks excluded). Men ski for $34 on Thursdays (not holidays) and can snag a $7 lunch at Blizzard’s Pub while women are extended the same deal on Fridays. A family of four with at least one junior can ski for $175 on Saturdays and Sundays. Non-holiday Sunday afternoons are $28 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Save six bucks off a lift ticket (not Monday Madness) by showing your AAA card.

How do you beat Black Mountain’s $29 adult lift ticket? Ski at night for $10.

Though Saddleback’s $35 midweek non-holiday rate is a steal, there are ways to pay even less. The first Sunday of each month is Maine Day with $29 tickets to Mainers with ID. Non-holiday Wednesdays are Bring a Friend Day where two ski for $45.

Got a smart kid?Any Maine student from kindergarden to 12th grade who makes the honor roll can purchase a Saddleback season pass for $59. You’ll have to prove it though.

The popular Maine Winter Kids program allows Maine students in grades 5, 6 and 7 the chance to learn winter sports at free and discounted rates (winterkids.org).

••• Shawnee Peak has $15 lift tickets Dec. 17 for those who donate three non-perishable food times. Be sure to check in with Shawnee first as the event is weather-dependent. The Bridgton mountain is hosting a ribbon cutting Dec. 19 for the Summit Triple Express with Gov. John Baldacci scheduled to be there. Sunday River will be participating in World Snowboard Day and offering free recreational snowboard rentals on Dec. 19. The River’s Winterfest 2010 is Friday through Sunday featuring free night skiing Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and fireworks.

Maine Ski Hall of Famer and former SR ski patrol director Dave Irons will do a book signing Saturday noon to 3 p.m. for his fine “Sunday River: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future” book.

The welcome sign to Sugarloaf’s Brackett Basin is up. The approximately 270 acres of new tree skiing terrain between the Loaf’s summit and adjacent Burnt Mountain is the first part of a 10-year plan to turn the ski area into a two-peak resort.