The Portland Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011

VOL. 3 NO. 231

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Last week, the Cumberland County Civic Center’s board of trustees voted 7-2 to begin negotiating a contract with architects WBRC Architects/Engineers and Sink Combs Dethlefs, as part of a $33 million renovation of the building. Here, the facility’s Free Street entrance is seen from Free Street. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Getting up to speed at the Civic Center

Board moves on $33 million renovation.

See page 13

From PETA to LePage, we start our Year in Review 2011 — See page 6

Page 2 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A nonstop party (but what’s the address?)

LOS ANGELES (NY Times) — Getting to this party took commitment. The chosen had to RSVP early to get on the guest list but were not told where they were going. The address came later, by e-mail: Be at a dimly lighted parking lot just east of the Los Angeles River at 1 a.m. They lined up at a corrugated steel fence, shivering in their furs and leather jackets on the chilly December night.

Security at “Sarcastic Disco,” an underground party in downtown Los Angeles, tries to keep order at the door, as partygoers push to get inside. From there, a shuttle took them to an empty warehouse on an industrial street south of downtown, where all-night drinks and dance beats awaited. Unlike New York, the city of Los Angeles does sleep. When the clock strikes 2 a.m. bars close down and clubs stop serving alcohol.

But a lively underground after-hours scene is moving to fill the void with an everchanging menu of unlicensed dance clubs and pop-up speak-easies. Like those of Chicago in the 1920s and the wild aftersunrise dance parties in New York of the 1980s and the 1990s, their very illicitness is the key to their allure.

“You kind of feel like you’re taking your life in your hands going into these warehouses,” said John Lavin. “But that’s part of the appeal.”

In the late 1980s, warehouses here and around the country served as settings for roving dance parties, a staple of the house music scene in major cities. After reports of heavy drug use, drug-related deaths and fires in the early 1990s, however, the police cracked down.

Dance music DJ’s went more mainstream, moving to clubs that kept regular hours and followed, at least to some extent, the rule of law.

But after-hours parties have returned with a vengeance from New York to Los Angeles, in no small part because Facebook and Twitter allow organizers to publicize the events more widely , while still maintaining secrecy and exclusivity. Here, with a metropolitan area of more than 10 million people — and no one legally selling drinks after 2 a.m. — the underground events are drawing hundreds every weekend.

The parties move around, from warehouses to photography studios or industrial buildings, the locations kept secret until just hours before they begin.

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Iran could block oil if Neb. Senator won’t run again hit with new sanctions

BY RICK GLADSTONE THE NEW YORK TIMES

Iran issued a blunt warning on Tuesday that it would block the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil transit point, if Western powers attempt to impose an embargo on Iranian petroleum exports in their campaign to isolate the country over its suspect nuclear energy program.

The warning, issued by Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, came as Iran’s naval forces were in the midst of a 10-day war games exercise in a vast area of the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that connects the Gulf of Oman to the Persian Gulf, is the route for one third of the world’s oil-tanker traffic.

“If Iran oil is banned not a single drop of oil will pass through Hormuz Strait,” Mr. Rahimi was quoted as saying by the official Islamic Republic News Agency at a conference in Tehran.

“We are not interested in any hostility,” he was quoted as saying. “Our motto is friendship and brotherhood, but Westerners are not willing to abandon their plots.”

Mr. Rahimi appeared to be referring to efforts under way by the United States and European Union to restrict Iran’s ability to sell oil, its most important export, as part of their increasingly strict economic sanctions in response to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran contends the program is purely peaceful but a United Nations report issued last month raised the possibility that it is clandestinely working on a nuclear weapon and missile delivery system.

European Union ministers have said they will take up the question over whether to boycott Iranian oil in

coming weeks, and the United States Congress passed a measure this month that could potentially choke Iranian oil exports. Although the United States does not buy Iran’s oil, the measure could discourage other buyers, even those who have friendly relations with the United States, by restricting their access to the American market if they do business with Iran’s Central Bank, the principal conduit for Iranian oil transactions.

Oil prices rose slightly, partly in reaction to Mr. Rahimi’s remarks.

At the New York Mercantile Exchange, the benchmark contract was up 75 cents a barrel to $100.43 by late morning.

This is not the first time Iran has threatened to disrupt world oil supplies in response to the sanctions. Iranian officials have also predicted that oil prices would double if their own exports are constricted.

Sen. Ben Nelson, a two-term Democrat from Nebraska who faced a tough fight to hold his seat, announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election.

“It’s time for me to step away from elective office, spend more time with my family and look for new ways to serve our state and nation,” Mr. Nelson said in a video statement.

“Simply put, it’s time to move on,” he added.

Mr. Nelson, a former governor, had

been assessing his plans for months even as he raised money and was the beneficiary of party advertising. But even if Mr. Nelson were to run, Republicans saw Nebraska as one of their best opportunities to take over a Senate seat.

The announcement makes Mr. Nelson the seventh member of the Democratic caucus to decide to retire from the Senate after the current term.

— The New York Times

Monitors enter embattled Syrian city BEIRUT, Lebanon — Residents of the Syrian city of Homs said the government pulled some of its tanks from the streets on Tuesday morning, shortly before Arab League observers arrived to monitor pledges by the government to withdraw troops and heavy weapons from residential areas.

But sporadic fighting continued on Tuesday morning in Baba Amr, the neighborhood hardest hit by the violence that has left dozens of people dead in recent days, residents said. Activists said some tanks were still visible. They claimed others were being hidden.

Early Tuesday, a contingent of observers met with the governor of Homs and then with opposition figures inside the city.

Ahmed, an activist with the Local Coordination Committees in Homs, said in a telephone interview that he was among a group of people escorting

observers from Sudan, Egypt, Algeria and Mauritania. As the group tried to visit a mosque where several bodies were being stored, they were stopped by gunfire coming from a government checkpoint.

Activists posted a video on the Internet on Tuesday that they said showed several men pleading with the observers. One man wanted the observers to announce that they had been prevented from visiting a part of the city because snipers were still in the buildings. Gunshots can be heard in the background.

“Go inside,” another man said. “Go see what’s inside. They’re massacring us.”

The official Syrian news agency, Sana, said that early Tuesday “terrorists” had attacked a natural gas pipeline in Homs for the second time in a month.

— The New York Times

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THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 3

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Arrest made in Hobson’s Wharf safe burglary

BY MARGE NIBLOCK SPECIAL TO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Authorities have arrested a local man in connection with a safe burglary earlier this month on Hobson’s Wharf.

Harold “Butch” Southard, 38, was arrested yesterday by South Portland police and charged with a Dec. 12 burglary of ISF Trading Inc, a seafood business on Hobson’s Wharf. Southard is accused to stealing a safe from the business that contained money and other items.

A warrant for Southard’s arrest was issued just before Christmas, and he was taken into custody after he was seen in the parking lot of a South Portland Dunkin’ Donuts.

The stolen safe contained cash in foreign currencies and U.S. dollars, and also had important personal papers belonging to Atchan Tamaki, owner of ISF Trading. The safe was said to be of

a medium size, and the owner thought it may have required more than one person to remove it from the premises.

ISF Trading exports sea urchins to Japan.

Some of the money stolen from the safe was in the form of Iraqi dinars, and police asked area banks to be on the lookout for persons looking to conduct business in that currency. The approximate exchange rate is 1,170 dinars per U.S. dollar.

There had been several reports of Harold Southard and/or his associates cashing in Iraqi dinars of the same denominations that were taken in the ISF burglary, police said.

Sgt. Dean Goodale, the Portland police detective in charge of property crimes said police “had great cooperation from the banks.”

Shortly after the burglary at ISF Trading, on Dec. 16, Southard was arrested on an outstanding warrant for assault. He was found to be in

Cuban defector Cespedes could be baseball’s hottest free-agent

BY DAVID WALSTEIN THE NEW YORK TIMES

Now that the Texas Rangers have won the right to negotiate with the Japanese pitching phenom, Yu Darvish, Major League Baseball has turned its attention to Yoennis Cespedes, a captivating Cuban outfielder with a running back’s body whom scouts have been following for years.

Cespedes is within days of gaining his residency in the Dominican Republic. Once he does, Major League Baseball will declare him a free agent and the bidding can begin.

“Then anyone can make an offer who wants to,” said an American League executive who was not authorized to speak publicly about a free agent. “Compared to Darvish, this is going to be the Wild West.”

At least a dozen teams fancy the 26-year-old Cespedes, who is built like Bo Jackson and has Vladimir Guerrero’s swing. Some people in baseball believe he will command a contract worth more than $50 million, and the list of teams who may pursue him includes the Miami Marlins, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays, and of course, the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees.

None, however, want to reveal their strategy regarding his impending free agency or publish their own scouting reports.

“We’ve seen him in international competitions and in workouts,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We have our opinions and are aware of what he can do, but other than that, I wouldn’t comment any more.”

Certainly, all 30 clubs are well aware of Cespedes’s exploits — his speed in the 60-yard dash, his ability to track balls in center field and, most of all, his power to all fields as a right-handed slugger. Although Cespedes (pronounced CES-ped-es) has had only a few at-bats against major league pitching, in the World Baseball Classic, many talent evaluators believe he may eventually separate himself from all previous position players who have defected over the past two decades from Fidel Castro’s Cuba.

“He might be the best to come out of Cuba,” said Ismael Cruz, the Toronto Blue Jays’ special assistant to the general manager. “The question for everyone is how much you want to pay for that, and that is up to each team to decide.”

Cespedes, whose mother, Estela Milanés, was a star pitcher on the Cuban softball team at the 2000 Olympics, defected from Cuba on a speedboat after he broke the singleseason home run record in the 201011 season. He and Jose Dariel Abreu, the Cuban league most valuable player, each hit 33 homers.

possession of drugs and when arrested that day he was also charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. At that time, police were not far enough along in Southard their investigation to charge him with the ISF burglary at that time.

Southard has a long history of contact with police. As a juvenile, he escaped twice from the Maine Youth Center while serving time for theft and burglary. Then in May 1994, at age 21, he escaped from a minimum security pre-release center that had opened a month before at the Cumberland County Jail.

In August 1994, Southard was one of several inmates sprayed with pepper

spray during a disturbance at the old Cumberland County Jail. According to a Portland Press Herald article about the incident, the jail’s supervisor, Lt. William Brady said Southard “tried to incite the (second) floor.”

He was then moved to another jail in a different county due to tensions he had caused, according to Brady.

Over the years, Southard has had numerous arrests on varying charges, including theft, burglary, robbery, domestic violence assault, aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of drugs, and violation of bail conditions.

“It’s a good arrest. It’s still an ongoing investigation to determine whether anyone else is involved,” Goodale said after Southard was taken into custody.

Goodale added that much of the Iraqi money stolen in the safe robbery has been recovered by police.

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Special New Years Eve Sparkling Wine Tasting Saturday, December 31 • 4pm – 7pm

Page 4 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

––––––––––––– COLUMN –––––––––––––

New Year reflections “Twinkies for breakfast, again?”

“Don’t judge me,” you shriek. “I still have a few days before I have to start being good!!”

It is that special week that straddles the intersection of sin and gluttony with that of a pure Tabula Rasa. Hallmark is missing out on marketing this lame duck period, when excess calories are exalted in the name of motivation and our misgivings vanish at the stroke of a certain midnight like a busted-up Cinderella.

“To my dearest friend, You will never know what our friendships means, So I brought you this cake.

Forget about your skinny jeans, You can try again next week.”

Everyone gobbles up gym memberships, uses them for two weeks and cringes each month when that flabby $50 ––––– reminder automatically disUse Your appears from their account. A Outside Voice fiscal stab in your two-pack. Do yourself a favor this year and don’t pretend you are going to get all slim and sexy

by February. These are the months when we should be hibernating underneath a Sheppard’s Pie and cask of wine. May 1st is the Body New Year; it is much easier to bear when the mercury is above 12.

But you are not off that easily! There are still many facets of your personality we can work on. Do you resolve to get your character into bikini shape?

(BTW, I just have to interject that having a baby or finally getting your boyfriend to leave his wife is NOT a valid resolution.)

Maggie Knowles

see KNOWLES page 5

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

Everything is different, but nothing has changed Not uncommonly, I get tired and overwhelmed at holiday time. I dread the Westernized gift-giving of Hanukkah, guilt over not sending newsy holiday cards to family and friends From Away; hoping I can survive the heightened emotions that ricochet off co-workers, my kids, my friends and the guy with road rage revving up next to me at the stop light. In an effort to simplify, I thought I only had a few celebratory things planned, but must have been in denial.

Here’s the recap: New Guy and I went to a holiday party at the home of someone he’s known for years through mutually beneficial work transactions. Their relationship has evolved into an unusual friendship, occasionally peppered with the strong emotions of two creative, independent thinkers who take enormous pride in their work, but might not be the best of communicators — at least with each other. They often play the, “he said, she said,” game of telephone, but things always result in a beautifully handcrafted, custom piece of furniture, or kitchen remodel project and the delighted end-user rarely knows of the drama behind the elegant

Natalie Ladd ––––– What It’s Like cottage cream colored, standalone island or pantry.

I know the party hostess only casually through guilt by association with New Guy, but it was a lovely time made even nicer by a laid back attitude I could never pull off as people rummaged through her kitchen making plates of luscious comfort food (not one, but two gigantic spiral hams was the clincher to getting New Guy to go) and schmoozed in packs in various rooms of her understatedly beautiful home.

We had a few drinks, met some cool people, and I was flattered as all get-out by a fan of this column who knew all my characters and asked pointed questions about my Ex, Number One, Carlyladd’s culinary interests and why the heck I don’t write about the juicy restaurant stuff that never fails to get me in trouble

with industry co-workers and insiders.

This party followed on the heels of The Portland Daily Sun holiday party held at a nice, but very remote, GPS-snubbing hotel near Conway, New Hampshire, which is the mothership of the four free, daily papers that make up the Daily Sun Newspaper group.

This time it was my turn to sup with a few people I’ve bumped heads with during my brief newspaper operational learning curve, and I welcomed the opportunity to see them outside the world of column inches, deadlines and typos (mostly mine). The publisher said really nice stuff about me in front of God and everyone, and New Guy drove back and forth both ways in frigid weather while we sang to bad ‘80s ballads.

It was a classic textbook company party (in a good way) and thankfully, we were only given one drink ticket each because the day after the shindig in Conway was my annual Hanukkah Latke Party.

This year, my Ex, my BFF, and our fashionista friend Dot handpeeled and grated 80 pounds of potatoes (My Bubbie, may she rest see LADD page 5

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 5

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

Take notice of what you are doing right this moment KNOWLES from page 4

Take a survey of the things you don’t like in other people. Chances are you exhibit some of the same behavior. Then look at people you admire. Swap out some of the rotten stuff with the yummy.

We can all take a break from GOSSIP. Gossip is a nasty form of adult-onset bullying. Doesn’t talking about other people just make you feel gross? Yet, like heroin, it is addictive and hard to stop.

Recently, I was railing on a mutual acquaintance (mostly because I felt like this was the only common ground “Mel” and I shared).

Mel smiled and said, “I’m sorry. I really don’t have space in my life for gossip.” Then elegantly changed the subject.

She handled her discomfort with grace; I never felt judged or defensive. She got her point across and we moved on. We can all use Mel’s line when in a similar situation or simply choose to walk away. It takes a person of strong character to stop the runaway train long before it gets to the hill.

A few months ago, I wrote about dumping toxic friends. Now that you have no one to call on a Friday night, fill in the gaps with LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE. There is a wonderful quote, “Who you are never changes. Who you think you are does.” Who do you think you are now? As you evolve as a person, your peers must rise to meet you or you will become

stagnant and unhappy.

The people you drank your 20’s away with, though important for remembering the names of idiots you dated, may not be the group that helps elevate you to your highest potential today.

What are your passions? Yoga, cooking, reading, biking? Join groups of that nature and bask in the energy of mutual enthusiasm.

Take notice of what you are doing right this moment. Chances are you are holding your breath.

I catch myself all the time, especially when driving, acting like I am 15-feet under water. One of the best ways to nurture your body is to BREATHE. Sounds so simple. Air goes in. Air goes out. Do you know we only use around 20 percent of our lungs when breathing? Do you only use a fraction of those new shoes? Wasteful!

We are robbing our body of the precious oxygen that nourishes our cells, blood and organs. A lack of oxygen leads to inflammation, which leads to disease.

As the New Year is upon us, with a chance to begin anew, FORGIVENESS is a vital aspect of moving forward. Sadly, we often forget to forgive ourselves.

Don’t hold a grudge against yourself for perceived failure. Each day you live is a chance to learn and grow. By carrying the guilt of “what is not,” you are torturing your soul and withholding the chance to succeed. Shake off the cement shoes of years past

The world of holiday parties see LADD page 4

in peace, would be pleased we shunned the food processor which results in soggy, starchy shards of potato), 24 gigantic onions and mixed in 48 eggs, with a few cups of matzo meal and of course, several dashes of Kosher salt.

Tired as a zombie, I worked my own rooms during the The Latke Party, becoming energized simply by loving and appreciating everyone who was there, as well as those who stiffed the event for other obligations as Hanukkah fell so close to Christmas this year. Like many who had to pick and choose, I missed the New Guy Family Christmas Party and my much anticipated Restaurant-Family Party, both held that same day.

Just as precious as The Latke Party is What’s a Jew to Do?! night, also known as Christmas Eve. Since the girls were very little we found ourselves initially at Chinese restaurants and over the last decade at a hibachi table as Asian food and a movie is a 5,000-year-old religious custom for Jews on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Over the subtly changing years, there have been a different group of friends at our own campfire, but we are always in the nearby company of more Jews then you’ll find at Temple on Yom Kippur. This year the girls were with me by choice (sadly, an interdenominational, stressful holiday phenomena for them), as were New Guy and his kids, and, of course, Tim, the beloved straggler/boyfriend of Number One. As our Chef flipped his utensils and built the obligatory onion volcano, I was filled with a sense of tradition and comfort.

Like everyone who knows the secret of coming away from the holidays with gratefulness intact, I learned and fully understood that from year to year, everything is different but

nothing has changed. That realization hit hard Christmas Eve, and it was a purely comforting awareness resulting in both a traditional and nontraditional sense of belonging and connection that overrode my initial holiday fatigue and dread.

Looking forward, I’m sure that what is changing is the recruitment of a new “by-hand” potato grater for next year’s Latke Party as the bittersweet time has come to not invite my Ex back. The only true requirement for the position is a positive, healthy attitude about the holiday season so please send your resume to natalie@ portlanddailysun.me. The compensation is lots of laughs, open bar and the bonus of smelling like the miracle of Hanukkah for weeks to come.

I also aspire to less typos in juicy columns people like my new fan Penny want to read, a deeper appreciation via mindful actions toward my biological and restaurant families, and ultimately less guilt and fear at holiday time.

Now, to find the comforts of working a double shift on New Year’s Eve! The Low Down: A tip of Santa’s hat to Angela and her parents, owners of Charlie’s Diner in Westbrook, who were open and slammed with business for breakfast on Christmas Day. Also open later in the day were movie theaters (duh!), Rosie’s, Three Dollar Dewey’s and the prime rib makin,’ cosmo shakin’ fools at The Armory, all of whom (along with New Guy) made this Christmas Day one of the very best ever.

(Natalie Ladd is a columnist for the Portland Daily Sun. She has over 30 continuous years of corporate and fine-dining experience in all front-ofthe-house management, hourly and under-the-table positions. She can be reached at natalie@portlanddailysun. me.)

and use 2012 as an opportunity to leap into your best you.

(I just made a resolution to stop sounding so Oprah-ey.)

Have a fabulous New Year!

(Maggie Knowles is a columnist for The Portland Daily Sun. Her column appears Wednesdays. Email her at maggie@portlanddailysun.me.)

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Page 6 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Top stories of 2011 Editor’s note: The news of 2011 started with a bang as newly elected Maine governor, Paul LePage, ruffled feathers with his rhetoric, while a Republican takeover of the Maine Legislature in the fall 2010 election set the stage for partisan squabbles. Even poets in Portland gathered at the foot of the Longfellow statue to protest the lack of a poetry reading at LePage’s inauguration. Following is the first installment of highlights from the year now ending. Future installments will appear this week.

January Press Herald political ads spur ethics questions A former Portland deputy city manager is asking state election officials to investigate nearly $47,000 worth of free advertising that the Portland Press Herald donated to the chamber of commerce in support of last year’s successful elected-mayor referendum.

Thomas Valleau said he filed his complaint with the Maine Ethics Commission last week.

Valleau, who worked for the city of Portland for 28 years and served as one of two appointed members to the 12-member Charter Commission, said in a press statement that he is asking the state to “... investigate an arrangement between “It was not quite Armageddon but it was pretty bad yesterday,” said Gregory Hughes, spokesman for the Portland Jetport, talking about rampant cancellations, as a the newspaper and the Chamber January nor’easter left plenty of flights rerouted or delayed. The storm also gave crews plenty of snow to plow. Here, a city worker moves snow onto Portland’s snow that resulted in eight apparently dump in Bayside. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO) free full page color advertisements supporting the idea of an elected Wednesday. “Florida went. Nonstop to Orlando is pretty father’s right forefinger and its telltale stain of blue ink. mayor with a four year term for Maine’s largest city.” good, it flies over this stuff.”

His father, Mariano Mawein, was one of dozens of south Sudanese immigrants who boarded buses in Portland and traveled to Boston to vote Sunday for an independent south Bar’s license hearing expands LePage and the Maine NAACP Sudan. Polling officials stained the right forefingers of those into Bayside crime discussion who voted with blue ink to mark their participation in the Governor Paul LePage set off a political firestorm Friday historic referendum. when he rebuffed invitations from the Maine NAACP to Mawein, a spokesman for the Sudanese Community It began as a liquor license review of a local bar that’s attend Martin Luther King Jr. Day events this weekend and Association of Maine, said, “I called my son yesterday when operated as a successful family business for decades. told a TV reporter, “Tell ‘em to kiss my butt.”

I was in Boston, that’s the first thing I did. I called to say But neighbors, including a man who said he had gathIt’s not the first time LePage and the NAACP have I voted, I voted for an independent south. ... I told him, ‘I ered 100 signatures backing his view, said people hanging crossed swords, but this time LePage ignited a furor with voted for your second country.’ He asked, ‘When are you out around Rockin’ Ricky’s on Portland Street are a hazard. his pointed rebuff of the civil rights organization, on the eve going to come back so I can see your fi nger?’”

Women explained that they are afraid to walk there at night, of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

Mawein proudly displays the evidence of his vote, a and several residents complained about drug dealing and LePage is breaking gubernatorial tradition by not attendsource of optimism for Portland’s Sudanese commuprostitution. ing Martin Luther King Day events this weekend scheduled nity. Voting will continue through the end of the week on Still others argued for the bar, noting that police were in Portland and Bangor. whether southern Sudan should separate from the north not recommending denial of the license. Instead, police and become an independent country; a majority of southwere reporting that the establishment has not been cited Peaks Island Independence Committee meets ern Sudanese living in the United States were expected to for over-serving or selling alcohol to under-age patrons in vote Sunday, Jan. 9, according to news reports. any of the 30 times it had been visited by officers.

The Peaks Island Independence Committee has called a meeting for this Sunday where volunteers will outline issues The case against Chad Gurney Poets protest as LePage is inaugurated and timelines for a November election on splitting from the municipality of Portland, according to organizers of the The murder trial of a Portland As Republican governor-elect Paul LePage took the oath gathering. man accused of strangling his girlof office in Augusta yesterday, poets and other supporters That timeline would target a new town of Peaks Island by friend before cutting off her head, of the arts gathered under the statue of Henry Wadsworth– July 1, 2012. pouring gasoline over her and setLongfellow in Portland and protested the lack of a poetry ting the body on fire will hinge on an reading at LePage’s inauguration.

Homeless relief funding insanity defense, officials said.

“This lack of acknowledgement is especially evident here Opening arguments in the case today as our new governor takes office but doesn’t benefit Portland received nearly $3.2 million in federal money for against Chad Gurney, 29, began in from the inaugural poem,” said Steve Luttrell, who, in 2009, homeless relief, most of it in the form of subsidized housing, Portland yesterday. was named Poet Laureate of Portland. “This is quite ironic officials announced Wednesday. as one of the most celebrated aspects of Maine’s heritage has been its poetic legacy, in the names of Henry WadNation socked by snowstorm sworth–Longfellow of Portland, Ewin Arlington Robinson of Fate of retired aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy Gurney Gardiner and Edna St. Vincent Millay of Camden, to name a A midweek nor’easter meant that few.”

Portland’s loss is Rhode Island’s gain, say those who Florida was the place to fly at the height of the storm on support turning the retired aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy Wednesday. into a museum and memorial in Rhode Island’s Narragan“It was not quite Armageddon but it was pretty bad yesOptimism for Portland’s Sudanese community sett Bay. terday,” said Gregory Hughes, spokesman for the Portland Jetport, talking about the rampant cancellations on Five-year-old Maluak continues to be fascinated by his see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 7

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR IN REVIEW 2011 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from preceding page News that the Portland City Council on Wednesday scuttled efforts to locate the ship in Casco Bay was met with muted approval by those jockeying to site the ship in Rhode Island.

The bar’s owner counters that he’s just in the middle of it all.

“We have real people’s jobs at stake here,” said Thomas Manning, owner of The Cactus Club on Fore Street. He also argued that his club has been targeted by police and often gets blamed for problems that originate at neighboring night spots.

LePage’s adopted son in the news

Abyssinian Meeting House in the spotlight

Maine Governor Paul LePage’s adopted son has apparently closed a Twitter account after a columnist from The Portland Daily Sun questioned posted comments about people with mental handicaps.

Devon Raymond, who entered the state’s political fray amid the governor’s “kiss my butt” comments directed toward the NAACP on the eve of Martin Luther King Day weekend, posted, “Remember guys tomorrow is ‘Hug A Retard’ day ... so don’t freak out like you did last year, nobody is trying to hurt you.”

The comment is a common Internet email and is often dismissed as a “joke” way to tell somebody they are perhaps doing something you deem less than smart.

Daily Sun columnist Bob Higgins wrote that he’d seen the comment over the weekend and thought it a good example of how easily people, even those in the spotlight, forget that social network platforms are public.

Portland’s Abyssinian Meeting House is ready for its close-up with experts on the American anti-slavery movement.

Armed with a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant of $122,000, volunteers restoring the historic church on Newbury Street plan to meet next Wednesday in Boston with their federal funding partners and with counterparts from Boston’s African Meeting House.

February Community Development Block Grant change A new rule limiting how Community Development Block Grant money goes to city agencies is creating winners and losers in the funding process, with the Dougherty Field recreational complex currently being denied $174,977 that it would have gotten without the new limits, according to city reports.

“Tracing the Fore” in crosshairs The city council may well have sealed the fate for the controversial “Tracing the Fore” sculpture last night, voting unanimously to deny a resolution to support relocating the piece.

The Cactus Club liquor license rejected For the second time in two years, the city council has rejected liquor license renewal for an Old Port bar that police say is a center for trouble.

Benches for the Bayside Trail It’s public seating, take two, as the Portland Public Art Committee once again prepares to solicit artists to design unique benches for the Bayside Trail.

Gov. LePage’s comments on BPA Governor Paul LePage’s dismissive comments toward a controversial chemical has Maine’s environmental and public health groups challenging both his regulatory approach and grasp of basic biology.

Last week, LePage said he has yet to see enough science to support a ban on bisphenol-A (BPA), a common additive to plastics that some research suggests may interfere with hormone levels and could cause long-term health problems.

March Jail organized drug-smuggling operation Four people have been charged in connection with an organized drug-smuggling operation uncovered inside the Cumberland County Jail, authorities said yesterday.

Police have charged two jail inmates, Michael Harmon, 27, of Naples, and Daniel Bokuniewicz, 24, of Casco, with criminal conspiracy to traffic Suboxone — a prescription drug used to treat opiate addiction.

Bokuniewicz’ sister, Stephanie Bokuniewicz, 27, of Brownfield, and his girlfriend, Morgan Miller, 20, of Casco, are accused of sending Suboxone to the two inmates housed at the Portland jail. Both were charged with furnishing Suboxone and trafficking in prison contraband.

School early-retirement incentive The Portland Public Schools district has extended the deadline for an early-retirement incentive program, hoping

Five-year-old Maluak is fascinated by his father’s right forefinger and its telltale stain of blue ink. His father, Mariano Mawein, was one of dozens of south Sudanese immigrants who boarded buses in Portland and traveled to Boston to vote for an independent south Sudan. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

to reduce the number of layoffs in the district’s 2011-2012 budget.

RockBridge Capital eyes changes at Eastland Unlike new hotels in Portland that carry a Hilton or Marriott or Hampton Inn brand, the Eastland Park on High Street is not part of any chain. But new owners of the 84-year-old hotel say that could change.

RockBridge Capital, which bought the Eastland this week, is focusing its immediate efforts on a “comprehensive” renovation, said Adam Valente, a senior vice president. But he said the company is also mulling an affiliation for the 258-room hotel.

Peaks Island secession slowed Citing a need for “more process” before putting the decision to island voters, Portland will ask the Maine legislature to slow actions that might lead to a Peaks Island secession election this November.

Bayside Village student housing promotions New owners of Bayside Village student housing are dangling carrots, everything from a monthly rent of $399 to a chance to win an iPad, in a push to lure students to the development that last year faced foreclosure.

The Cutler Files In a state with fast-moving political issues, where important topics can end up “gone but not forgotten” in days, the saga of “The Cutler Files” website has managed to reverse that situation.

Turns out it was forgotten, but not gone.

At least it was largely forgotten until yesterday, when the Maine Civil Liberties Union filed suit on behalf of Dennis Bailey, the formerly anonymous creator of the infamous political blog that smeared (Bailey doesn’t agree with that term, but it applies) independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler.

“Tracing the Fore” targeted for removal After months of debate, the Portland Public Art Committee voted unanimously last night to recommend removing the Old Port’s “Tracing the Fore” sculpture from the city’s collection.

Southwest Airlines coming to Portland It may take a while, but Southwest Airlines is poised to offer service at the Portland Jetport now that AirTran shareholders have approved a merger between the airlines.

“It’s a huge deal,” said Gregory Hughes, marketing director at the Portland Jetport. see next page

A contractor preps the old L.L. Bean and Olympia Sports space on Congress Street for a new Reny’s department store. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Page 8 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR IN REVIEW 2011 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LEFT: As Republican governorelect Paul LePage took the oath of office in Augusta in January 2011, poets and other supporters of the arts gathered under the statue of Henry Wadsworth– Longfellow in Portland and protested the lack of a poetry reading at LePage’s inauguration. This event would be one of several protests of the new governor.

(DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO) from preceding page

Labor mural flap begins Last Friday, state Rep. Ben Chipman, I-Portland, predicted somewhat ominously that the newly controversial labor-themed mural hanging at the Department of Labor in Augusta might be gone when the building re-opened Monday.

Turns out he was right.

The mural depicting images from Maine’s labor history, which hung relatively unnoticed in the building’s lobby for three years before being targeted for removal by Gov. Paul LePage, was nowhere to be found Monday.

Adrienne Bennett, a spokesperson for LePage, confirmed that the artwork was taken down, just days after she assured this reporter that the mural would remain on display until a new home was found.

April Nateva calls it a day The Nateva Music and Camping Festival, which in its first year attracted The Flaming Lips, Grizzly Bear, and a host of jam bands to Oxford County, won’t be coming back for an encore.

New Reny’s department store Attention, job seekers. A new Reny’s department store in Portland will open its doors at 8 a.m. Thursday, April 14, but don’t worry — that beginning doesn’t mean an end to hiring.

The retailer, filling high-profile side-by-side Arts District vacancies left by L.L. Bean and Olympia Sports, may add to its rolls, depending on how business fares.

Police shoot Jonathan Mitchell A 29-year-old Bangor-area man who was shot twice by Portland police officers Sunday used his car as a “deadly weapon,” police said Monday.

A Portland officer shot Jonathan Mitchell in the neck and shoulder early Sunday morning after the suspect used his vehicle as a weapon against two officers in an attempt to evade arrest, police say.

Peaks Island secession bid halted

This wasn’t a garden-variety protest. Some of the news in 2011 was light hearted. The “Lettuce Ladies,” scantily clad young women who waved to passersby in Tommy’s Park, visited the Port City — the only American city to be favored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals with its tongue-in-cheek publicity event, dubbed “Turn Over a New Leaf: Go Vegan.” (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

A legislative committee Wednesday put a halt to the latest Peaks Island secession bid, sparking frustration from advocates who support separation from municipal Portland.

In a unanimous vote, the State and Local Government Committee Wednesday voted “ought not to pass” on legislation for Peaks Island to secede from Portland, effectively sending secession advocates back to the starting line.

“The council took a position in opposition to the bill,” said Nicole Clegg, city spokesperson, after the vote.

“And we are gratified and incredibly appreciative to the see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 9

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR IN REVIEW 2011 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Michael Brennan would wage a successful campaign for mayor of Portland.

Police Chief James Craig would bid farewell to Portland, taking a job in Cincinnati.

Artistic endeavors in 2011 included the historic renovation and restoration of the old St. Dominic’s church into the Maine Irish Heritage Center (ABOVE).

Art became news when Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to remove a labor mural (LEFT) from a state office building sparked a furor. (DAILY SUN FILE PHOTOS) from preceding page committee for recognizing that the process as outlined in Maine law is important, and necessary to be followed.”

Remains of Elena Lozada found The remains of a 24-yearold Portland woman missing since July 2010 were found in a “remote area of the state” on April 17, according to the Portland Police Department.

Elena Lozada was reported missing last July by her mother, police said. The case is now being considered an “unattended death with suspicious circumstances,” and the investigation is expected to continue, according to Lt. Gary Rogers with the department’s Criminal Investigations Lozada Division.

Lozada last spoke to her mother on July 6, 2010 and was last seen around July 7, 2010, according to missing persons website www.lostnmissing.com, a nonprofit missing-persons network run by Cynthia Caron out of New Hampshire. It is thought that Lazada may have been in the Dorchester, Mass., area, the site’s blog stated.

Krista Dittmeyer investigation continues CONWAY, N.H. — The investigation continues into the disappearance of a 20-year-old Portland woman after her infant daughter was found alone in a car at Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire early Saturday.

“This has clearly transitioned into a criminal investigation,” said Conway Police Lt. Chris Perley.

“She is a victim.”

The woman, Krista Dittmeyer, is a single mother originally from Bridgton, Maine. She is white, 5 foot 2 inches tall, 117 pounds, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. Police have been sending out photos and fliers, trying to find out what happened to her.

Dittmeyer’s body found in N.H.

Dittmeyer

CONWAY, N.H. — Police found the body of the missing 20-year-old Portland woman they’d been searching for since Saturday in a pond at the base of Cranmore Mountain Resort early Wednesday.

“It is with great sorrow that I tell you we located the body

LePage

of Krista Dittmeyer,” assistant N.H. attorney general Jane Young said at a late-afternoon press conference. “She was located in what is known in this area as Duck Pond.”

Thompson’s Point development An investment group that includes two part owners of the Maine Red Claws basketball team has announced plans to build a $100 million development on Thompson’s Point that would include a hotel, class A office space and music hall.

The project will also include a new basketball arena for the two-year-old franchise, which has played its home games at the Portland Expo, a facility that underwent major upgrades to accommodate the NBA D-League team.

Thompson Point Development Company, which includes Red Claws chairman William Ryan Jr. and Red Claws president Jon Jennings, will formally unveil the project today at a 10 a.m. press conference at City Hall.

Dory Waxman’s city council seat to vanish City Councilor Dory Waxman has two choices this fall: She can run for elected mayor, or she can end her time on the city council, at least in the near term. The one thing she can’t do is seek re-election for her current seat.

The reason? Her at-large council seat won’t exist after November.

Tomorrow: Michael Brennan announces he’s running for Portland’s mayor; and the Cactus Club sells. These and other highlights of 2011 are featured this week in The Sun.

DAILY CROSSWORD TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

by Lynn Johnston

By Holiday Mathis SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Studies prove that regular exercise bolsters your reserves of self-control. Even goals that are not fitness related will be more easily accomplished because of today’s higher activity level.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

There’s a problem that keeps you from having what you dearly want. Truly, no one is to blame for this. You’ll make headway once you decide that you’re the one who will change the dynamic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).

Things of value will come easily to you.

And if you recognize the value and cherish these things, you’ll be among the few who do. Most people don’t see the value of something until they are deprived of it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No time to stop and assess where you are. Keep going until you get a sense of pride and accomplishment. For you, this will come only at the very end of a project.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You will be the astute one in your group, and they really need you to point out the little signs of improvement you see.

You’ll note the incremental progress and inspire the others to continue forward.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 28).

You promote harmony and cooperation wherever you go. People work together under your guidance. The actions you take in January have unusual and unexpected results, making it a memorable time. February brings freedom, and you’ll adventure on through the spring.

May features a meaningful commitment. Libra and Gemini people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 21, 24, 30 and 14.

by Paul Gilligan

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll finally have the chance to pursue an interest you’ve wanted to know more about for a long time now. You’ll enjoy getting lost in a wealth of new information and experience.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll free your mind from material concerns and embrace a higher mindset. You’ll find this easy to do, especially when you’re in a relaxed environment surrounded by beauty.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You can like and respect yourself even when you wish you would have acted differently or projected a different side of yourself. Your compassionate attitude will help you grow into the person you want to be.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You feel a sense of community around you.

Because you are so multifaceted, you can connect with people on many different subjects. You’ll have a knack for saying the thing that breaks the conversation wide open.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your creative energy will burn bright. Remember that this is not just about being able to paint or write a story. Creativity is what helps you solve a problem or make a relationship strong and special.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s not OK to quit when the going gets tough.

On the other hand, it’s silly to fight the currents of life by swimming upstream.

Only you know when it’s right to change direction.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The way you see a situation may be causing you stress. Ask a trusted friend to give you another perspective on the matter.

You’ll open your mind to a liberating viewpoint.

by Jan Eliot

HOROSCOPE

by Chad Carpenter

Solution and tips at www.sudoku.com

TUNDRA Stone Soup Pooch Café For Better or Worse LIO

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, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

1 4 9 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22

23 24 26 29 34 35 36 37

ACROSS African antelope Pains ZIP __; part of an address Uncle’s wife “Trick or __!”; 10/31 greeting __-the-top; outrageous Recipe verb Josh with Listen Figurine Loose __; unfinished business Hit on the head Fraternity letter Gout site Fleece cutters Dole out Charley horse Boehner or Pelosi: abbr.

South African Dutchman

38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 51 56 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65

1

Contaminate Bean curd Zsa Zsa’s sister “Nothing __!”; firm refusal Surgical beam Logical Gobi or Sahara Zodiac lion Dinghy or dory Jewish wedding dance Running Prayer closing Sparkle Christmas song __ and rave; carry on Staring Puncture Experts Unclothed Tennis court divider DOWN Car fuel

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 21 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35

Bolts’ buddies Intensive care __; ICU Bring into harmony Stream Warmth Orient Hardest to climb Fellow beneficiary Kiln No longer with us Goofs up Farm vehicle Honk the horn Pork product “__ in Toyland” TV’s “__ Lucy” Gather grain left by reapers Backbone __-ups; mental issues Jagged __ to; cite Gush forth Set __; leave shore

38 Long sled 39 Sampling 41 __-hard; fanatically devoted 42 __ year; 2012, for one 44 Inclines 45 Facing a terrible fate

47 48 49 50 52 53 54 55 59

Fire Nag Gen. Bradley City in Nevada Pond growth Ooze out Midday Actor Richard Allow

Saturday’s Answer

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 11

––––––– ALMANAC ––––––– Today is Wednesday, Dec. 28, the 362nd day of 2011. There are three days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to be admitted to the Union.

On this date: In 1694, Queen Mary II of England died after more than five years of joint rule with her husband, King William III. In 1832, John C. Calhoun became the first vice president of the United States to resign, stepping down because of differences with President Andrew Jackson.

In 1856, the 28th president of the United States, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, was born in Staunton (STAN’-tun), Va. In 1908, a major earthquake followed by a tsunami devastated the Italian city of Messina, killing at least 70,000 people.

In 1917, the New York Evening Mail published “A Neglected Anniversary,” a facetious, as well as fictitious, essay by H.L. Mencken recounting the history of bathtubs in America.

In 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1961, the Tennessee Williams play “Night of the Iguana” opened on Broadway.

Former first lady Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson, died in Washington at age 89.

In 1971, film composer Max Steiner (“Gone with the Wind,” among many others) died in Hollywood at age 83.

In 1981, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first American “test-tube” baby, was born in Norfolk, Va. In 1991, nine people died in a crush to get into a rap celebrity basketball game at City College in New York.

One year ago: Eight young people were killed in a fire that swept through an abandoned New Orleans warehouse (some of the victims were squatters who had been living inside the building). Agathe von Trapp, the real-life inspiration for eldest daughter Liesl in the musical “The Sound of Music,” died in Towson, Md., at age 97.

Today’s Birthdays: Comic book creator Stan Lee is 89. Actor Martin Milner is 80.

Actress Nichelle Nichols is 79. Actress Dame Maggie Smith is 77. Rock singer-musician Charles Neville is 73. Rock singer-musician Edgar Winter is 65. Actor Denzel Washington is 57. Country singer Joe Diffie is 53. Country musician Mike McGuire (Shenandoah) is 53. Actor Chad McQueen is 51. Country singer-musician Marty Roe (Diamond Rio) is 51. Actor Malcolm Gets is 47. Actor Mauricio Mendoza is 42. Comedian Seth Meyers is 38. Actor Brendan Hines is 35. Rhythmand-blues singer John Legend is 33. Actress Sienna Miller is 30. Actor Thomas Dekker is 24. Actress Mackenzie Rosman is 22. Pop singer David Archuleta (TV: “American Idol”) is 21.

WEDNESDAY PRIME TIME Dial

8:00

5

CTN 5 The Humble Farmer

6

Up All WCSH Night Å

7

WPFO

8

WMTW

10

MPBN

11

WENH

8:30

9:00

9:30

DECEMBER 28, 2011 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

Portland Water District Thom Hartmann Show Grit TV

12

WPXT

13

WGME

17

WPME

24

DISC Sons of Guns Å

Sons of Guns (N) Å

25

FAM Movie: ››› “Casper”

Movie: ››› “Elf” (2003) Will Ferrell. Premiere.

26

USA Movie: ››‡ “Funny People” (2009) Adam Sandler. Premiere. Å

27

NESN Instigators Bruins

28

CSNE NBA Basketball Boston Celtics at New Orleans Hornets.

30

ESPN College Football Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl -- California vs. Texas. (N) (Live)

31

ESPN2 College Basketball ION

34

DISN Random

36 37

TOON “Looney Tunes” NICK My Wife

My Wife

Sons of Guns Å The 700 Club (N) Å “He’s Just Not”

Celtics

Phineas

Bruins

SportsNet Sports

College Basketball Baylor vs. Mississippi State. (N) (Live)

Good Luck Shake It

MSNBC The Ed Show (N)

Moonshiners (N) Å

NHL Hockey Boston Bruins at Phoenix Coyotes. (Live)

Movie: ››› “Top Gun” (1986) Tom Cruise.

33

35

Update

Whitney (In Harry’s Law “The Law & Order: Special News Tonight Stereo) Å Rematch” Defending a Victims Unit A diplomat Show With former prosecutor. is charged with assault.

Jay Leno Raising Raising New Girl New Girl News 13 on FOX (N) The Office The OfHope Hope “Kid- “Pilot” Å “Kryptonite” “Whistle- fice “The “Prodigy” napped” blower” Duel” Å Å The Middle Suburga- Modern Happy End- Revenge “Intrigue” An in- News 8 Nightline “Halloween tory Å Family Å ings Å criminating video causes WMTW at (N) Å II” Å trouble. Å 11PM (N) NOVA “Secrets Beneath Charlie Rose (N) (In Nature “Arctic Bears” NOVA “Extreme Ice” Polar bears and grizzly Cameras record melting the Ice” Drilling beneath Stereo) Å Antarctic ice. bears meet. (In Stereo) glaciers. Å (DVS) Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow Herbert Hoover: Land- Cinema’s Exiles: From Advertising display for “San Jose” Tlingit bowl slide Herbert Hoover, the Hitler to Hollywood (In baby pants. Å and ladle. Å 31st president.

Stereo) Å Movie: “According to Greta” (2009, Drama) Hilary Excused (In American It’s Always That ’70s Duff, Melissa Leo. A suicidal teen gets sent to her Stereo) Å Dad Å Sunny in Show “Ice grandparents for a summer. (In Stereo) Phila.

Shack” NCIS: Los Angeles A Criminal Minds “Big CSI: Crime Scene In- WGME Late Show retired Army sergeant is Sea” Bodies are found vestigation Three people News 13 at With David murdered. (In Stereo) buried in Florida. confess to a crime.

11:00 Letterman Burn Notice Å Burn Notice Å Law Order: CI OurMaine Cops Å

SportsCtr NFL Live

Criminal Minds Å

Criminal Minds Å

Wizards

Austin

Jessie

Random

King of Hill King of Hill Amer. Dad Amer. Dad Fam. Guy

Fam. Guy

’70s Show ’70s Show George

Friends

George

Friends

Rachel Maddow Show The Last Word

The Ed Show Erin Burnett OutFront

38

CNN Anderson Cooper 360

Piers Morgan Tonight

Anderson Cooper 360

40

CNBC Biography on CNBC

60 Minutes on CNBC

American Greed

Mad Money

41

FNC

The O’Reilly Factor (N) Hannity (N)

Greta Van Susteren

The O’Reilly Factor

43

TNT

The Mentalist Å

Leverage Å

Rizzoli & Isles Å

44

LIFE Movie: ››‡ “The Holiday” (2006) Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet. Å

46

TLC

Toddlers & Tiaras

The Mentalist Å Extreme Cheapskates

47

AMC Movie: ››› “The Polar Express” (2004)

48

HGTV House

49 50 52

Income

Income

To Be Announced

Toddlers & Tiaras (N)

Extreme Cheapskates

Movie: ››› “The Polar Express” (2004) Kitchen

Property Brothers

Property Brothers

TRAV Trav-Blprs Travel

Man, Food Man, Food Man, Food Man, Food Fast Food-Glbl

A&E Storage

Dog

Storage

BRAVO Top Chef: Texas

Dog

Top Chef: Texas

Dog the Bounty Hunter Dog Top Chef: Texas

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55

HALL Movie: “A Dog Named Christmas” (2009) Å

56

SYFY Ghost Hunters Å

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Movie: “The Postman”

57

ANIM River Monsters Å

River Monsters

River Monsters Å

River Monsters Å

58

HIST Ancient Aliens Å

Ancient Aliens Å

Brad Meltzer’s Dec.

Brad Meltzer’s Dec.

60

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61

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62 67 68 76

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Movie: “Steppin: The Movie” (2009) Å

TBS

Movie: ››‡ “The Longshots” (2008) Å

Movie: ›‡ “The Waterboy” (1998, Comedy)

TVLND Home Imp. Home Imp. Raymond

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“Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle”

Movie: ›‡ “The Waterboy” (1998, Comedy)

Raymond

Cleveland The Exes

King

Fam. Guy

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Conan

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Movie: ›› “Rambo” (2008) Sylvester Stallone.

King Rambo II

78

OXY Movie: ›› “Kiss the Girls” (1997) Å

Snapped Å

146

TCM Movie: ››› “The Paleface” (1948) Bob Hope.

Movie: ››› “The In-Laws” (1979) Peter Falk.

DAILY CROSSWORD

BY WAYNE ROBERT WILLIAMS

ACROSS Start of a Sacha Guitry quote 8 Abnormal: pref.

11 __-Magnon 14 Supernatural event 15 Huang tributary 16 End of cash?

17 Retired professional woman 18 Finales 20 Unless, in law 21 Part 2 of quote 23 # 26 Layperson dedicated to religious life 27 Part 3 of quote 31 Mahler’s “Das Lied von der __” 34 Devonshire river 35 “Rhyme Pays” rapper 36 Dual-purpose tool 38 __-en-Provence 39 Bern’s river 40 PAU’s successor 1

Snapped Å

41 “Little Women” author’s initials 42 Fabrics 44 Lit. collection 45 Online guffaw 46 Cupbearer of the gods 47 Part 4 of quote 49 Sleeveless jacket 52 Water of France 53 Part 5 of quote 56 Type of shark 60 Chinese fruits 61 Like knobby clusters 64 Way in, in brief 65 Grippe 66 Soon, poetically 67 DDE’s election opponent 68 Indy 500 sponsor 69 End of quote 1 2 3 4

DOWN Last word?

“La Boheme” heroine Greek god of war Of the nostrils

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 22 24 25 27 28 29 30 32 33 36 37 40

Fifth of MV Keyboard key Certain tide Overly studious ones Streisand title role Half a tape Disney classic Mil. group Estimator’s equivocation Pentium manufacturers Embarrassing defeat Dickens’ Heep Aluminum silicates Sandy coastline Napoleon’s sentence Pin-up girls “__ the ramparts we watched...”

Pal of Pythias Praise highly Big name in newsreels Actress Tessie Thunder Bay prov.

43 Some canines 44 “Charley’s __” 47 Increases auction action 48 Globular clouds 50 Coral colonies 51 Prepared to be knighted 53 Appeal 54 Sandberg of baseball

55 Sub-heading 57 Oodles and oodles 58 Philosopher Immanuel 59 Uncontrolled binge 62 Bauxite, e.g.

63 Morning droplets

Yesterday’s Answer

THE

Page 12 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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PORTLAND- Danforth, 2 bedrooms, heated, renovated Victorian townhouse, 2 floors, 1.5 baths, parking. $1400/mo (207)773-1814.

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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.

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ANNIE’S MAILBOX Dear Annie: My sister is snide and competitive and makes hateful comments whenever we’re together. She’s a bully who has made my life difficult for the past 10 years. I tried to make things right for my parents’ sake, until I realized they were too spineless to say no to her. These days, I rarely speak to her.

Her wedding is in three months, and I told her I would not be attending. After all, if she dislikes me so much, why would she want me there anyway? Now, of course, she is furious, calling me all sorts of names.

My parents are hurt that I won’t attend, and my grandmother says she doesn’t know what’s gotten into me. Frankly, I don’t care what they think. But I do care what my aunts, uncles, cousins and mutual acquaintances will believe about me if I don’t show up. If they ask what’s going on, I will tell them, but I’m sure my sister will come up with an alternate version, and who knows which one of us they will believe?

They never notice how she treats me.

If I boycott the wedding, a huge number of people connected to my family will look at me as the worst kind of person. What should I do? -- Massachusetts Dear Massachusetts: When you take a stand, you must be willing to live with the consequences: Avoid the wedding and take your lumps from the relatives, or attend and hope your sister will behave. But we also think you should tell your sister how much it hurts when she bullies and belittles you, and ask why she finds it necessary to treat you this way.

If you can get to the root of her animosity, perhaps things could improve.

Dear Annie: I recently moved in with my boyfriend, “Beau,” and his roommate, “Scott.” Scott is usually at his girlfriend’s house, so Beau and I pretty much have the place to ourselves. Scott splits the bills with us while unofficially

living with his girlfriend.

Scott makes the payments, and we reimburse him in cash.

The problem is, on more than one occasion, I’ve noticed he has been late. I just found out that the water bill is three months past due and they are ready to shut it off. We have already paid Scott our share, but I think he expects us to pay two-thirds of the past-due amount.

I refuse to pay for this again, but don’t know how to say it.

Should we let it go? Do we ask him to write a receipt? That seems extreme, and Scott is a close friend. Moving out is not an option. What do we do? -- No Way, I Won’t Pay Dear No Way: It is unfair to pay twice for the same bill.

But it’s also unfair that Scott pays a third of the costs for a place he rarely uses. Offer to restructure your rental arrangements with Scott, and then perhaps you or Beau could take over the bill paying and let Scott reimburse you. And make sure he gets a receipt.

Dear Annie: I disagree with your response to “Grandma in Missouri,” who requested payment for child care for her grandchildren.

The parents now have resources. If they value having family care for their children, they should be willing to pay. The other option is to put the children in day care, where it will cost plenty. No one should expect others to watch their kids for free. -- Paid a Family Member for 19 Years Dear Paid: We are not disputing the merits of paying Grandma. The problem is, Grandma inadvertently pushed the daughter to transfer child care to someone else who will do it for free. Now Grandma doesn’t get to see the grandkids. This is a difficult result, and we feel she should talk to her daughter and see if they can reach some accommodation.

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

by Scott Stantis

The renovation of the Cumberland County Civic Center, which is expected to run the course of at least three years, could begin as early as the summer of 2012, though a final timeline has yet to be hashed out. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)

Civic Center renovation plans gaining ground

BY MATTHEW ARCO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Since voters approved a $33 million renovation of the Cumberland County Civic Center in November, officials say they have now taken the next big step in completely transforming the nearly 35-year-old building.

Last week, the center's board of trustees voted 7-2 to begin negotiating a contract with architects WBRC Architects/Engineers and Sink Combs Dethlefs. The agreement signifies the beginning of a lengthy renovation process that will pave the way for a modern civic center, said Neal Pratt, chairman of the center's board of trustees.

"It is exciting," Pratt recently told The Portland Daily Sun. "Now that the referendum has been approved and we know what our budget is going to be, now we basically come in and start the real work."

Though the vote was only to begin negotiations, and trustees will still need to approve a final agreement, Pratt said the decision to begin working with the architectural firms is a huge step.

"This is the next big step," he said, adding, "They are already going. They got going when they were preparing to be interviewed."

The firms were interviewed by trustees in executive session on Dec. 14. They were chosen out of three finalists that submitted proposals, including the firm SMRT Inc., which was hired to lead the center through the "conceptual design phase," Pratt said.

SMRT Inc. provided the trustees and voters with a conceptual design — not a blueprint — of what the new center could look like, Pratt explained.

Now, officials will hammer out a final agreement with Portland firm WBRC and Denver-based Sink Combs Dethlefs and begin the blueprint phase.

"During the month of January, we hope to get in, crawl around the building and get up to speed," said Robert Frank, principal and civic and commercial studio director with WBRC. Frank explained detailed maps of the civic center will be compiled over the course of the next three months. Residents could expect to see models of what the new center may look like as soon as February, Frank said, adding some preliminary designs have already been presented to trustees during the interview process.

"We are very excited to get started with this project," Frank said. "During the month of January, as our agreement with the county is vetted and formalized, we will be coordinating pre-design activities — such as existing building measurement and 3D scanning, sequencing, etc. — in advance of the formal design phase." see PLANS page 16

Page 14 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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Wednesday, Dec. 28 Lady Bulldogs Basketball Tournament 8:30 a.m. At the Portland Expo, Portland High School Lady Bulldogs Basketball Tournament, Greely vs Biddeford; 10 a.m. — Portland High School Lady Bulldogs Basketball Tournament Westbrook vs. Richmond; 11:30 a.m. — Portland High School Lady Bulldogs Basketball Tournament Cape Elizabeth vs Thornton Academy. www.portland-calendar.com

Portland Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament 1 p.m. At the Portland Expo, Maine Red Claws presents Portland Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament, Scarborough vs. Cape Elizabeth; 2:30 p.m. — Falmouth vs. Moore Catholic, N.Y.; 4 p.m. — Greely vs. Mt Valley; 5:30 p.m. — Portland vs. Susan Wagner, N.Y.; 7 p.m. — Winner Game 5 vs. Falmouth; 8:30 p.m. — Portland vs. Winner Game 7.

Amateur Kids Stand-up Comedy auditions 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Schoolhouse Arts Center’s will hold auditions for an Amateur Kids Stand-up Comedy Show on Dec. 28. Shows will be presented in our new Black Box theater beginning on Jan. 14. “This is a chance for any kid who likes to make people laugh and wants a chance to show off their ‘stuff.’ Those auditioning should come prepared to perform before a small group. Performers must be at under 18 years of age. Content should be appropriate for kids of any age. Auditions will be held at the Schoolhouse Arts Center, located at 16 Richville Road (Route 114) in Standish, just north of the intersection of Route 114 and Route 35. For more information, call Schoolhouse Arts Center at 642-3743 or log onto our website at www.schoolhousearts.org.

Thursday, Dec. 29 U.S. Postal Service processing operations consolidation meeting in Brewer rescheduled 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The U.S. Postal Service will hold a public meeting to discuss its proposal to move mail processing operations from the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution Facility in Hamden to the Southern Maine Processing and Distribution Center in Scarborough. The public meeting originally scheduled for Dec. 29 to explain this proposal and to allow public input has been rescheduled for Jan. 11, 2012. The time and location remain the same: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering, East West Industrial Park, 5 Coffin Ave, Brewer. Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing can send them to: Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact, Northern New England District, 151 Forest Ave., Portland, ME. All comments must be postmarked Jan. 13, 2012.”

Saturday, Dec. 31 Christmas with the Longfellows’ final day of Holiday House Tours 10 a.m. Through Saturday, Dec. 31, Christmas with the Longfellows: Holiday House Tours. “Visit the Longfellow House for a special holiday experience. This year’s seasonal decoration and interpretation, based on family letters and documents, focuses on 1861. Objects have been added to rooms to illustrate both the emergence of Christmas as the holiday we recognize today, and the impact of the Civil War on residents of the house and of Portland.

Wadsworth-Longfellow family members kept up with their usual habits and interests throughout the holiday season: Anne Longfellow Pierce participated in the war effort by making bandages, socks, shirts, and other supplies to be sent to soldiers in addition to her usual charity work; Lucia Wadsworth was interested in political affairs and city life, and also contributed knitted and sewn goods to the war effort. Tours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Last tour leaves at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last tour leaves at 1 p.m. http://www. mainehistory.org/programs_events.shtml

NRCM Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Race 10:30 a.m. East End Beach, Portland. “Be bold in the cold with a plunge in at East End Beach and/or a walk or run around Back Cove to support the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to reduce global warming pollution.

Run/walk registration starts at 10:30 a.m. at Back Cove; Dip registration starts at 11:30 a.m. at East End Beach. Pre-register online at http://supporters.nrcm.org/register. The walk begins at 11, the run at 11:15, and the dip at noon — the ‘warmest’ part of the day!”

Last Blast in Old Orchard Beach 4:30 p.m. Last Blast in Old Orchard Beach, New Year’s Eve celebration. Town Square and on the beach; bonfire,

For the past 13 years, Acorn Productions has been brightening the cold bleak week between Christmas and New Year’s with Phyzgig, a unique festival featuring vaudeville variety shows in downtown Portland from Dec. 27 through New Year’s Eve. One of the characters audiences can expect is Sunny Day, a high-school P.E. teacher from Seabridge, Maine. A real “Down-Easter,” Sunny has a down-to-earth approach to “getting physical” that parallels the quest for change in our lives. (COURTESY PHOTO) marshmallow toasting, hot cocoa. 5:30 p.m., first fireworks display.

Celebrate New Year’s with the Pirates 5:30 p.m. Portland Pirates vs. Worcester Sharks, Kid’s New Year’s Celebration. Bud Light Saturday Night is Hockey Night. Celebrate New Year’s with the Pirates. “The game, an expected sellout, will mark the 17th season the Pirates have celebrated New Year’s featuring New England’s largest indoor fireworks display at the conclusion of the game.” www.portlandpirates.com/promotions.asp

‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Volume I’ 7 p.m. Freeport Factory Stage presents: “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Volume I” — a musical roast of Broadway’s best on New Year’s Eve. Two performances at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $25; call the box office at 865-5505 or purchase tickets online through the website at www.freeportfactory.com.

ICING: SPACE Gallery’s New Year’s Eve Bash 9 p.m. SPACE Gallery. “Ring in the new year SPACE style!

ICING, our popular New Year’s Eve bash, will be full of performances and surprises, with music, food, art installations, a champagne toast and the eventual descent into an all out dance party! Come see what everyone has been talking about and live it up, it is the last party of the year, so do it right! $50 for an individual ticket, or contact us (info@ space538.org, 828-5600) to purchase a virtual table of 10 for $400.”

Sunday, Jan. 1 Lobster Dip for Special Olympics in OOB noon. “Looking for something really cool to do on New Years day? How about taking a dip in to the icy waters of the Atlantic for a great cause? The annual Lobster Dip for Special Olympics takes place Jan. 1 at noon sharp at the Brunswick Hotel/Ocean Side Grill in Old Orchard Beach. teams or individuals. Call or email now for a registration packet. Costumes add to the fun.” Brunswick Hotel and Ocean Side Grill, 39 West Gran Ave., Old Orchard Beach.

Each dipper must raise a minimum of $100 in pledges in order to dip.” www.somaine.org

Monday, Jan. 2 Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maine Historical Society presents “Dressing Up,” “a show about the choices we make to look our best. Every hat or shoe, buckle or brooch tells a tale of who we are, who we want to be, and how we want others to see us. And every social occasion makes its own demands, whether we’re fitting in for ceremonies or standing out for a special portrait. Drawing on never-before-seen artifacts —

paintings, photographs, costumes, jewelry, fashion accessories, and advertising art — Dressing Up explores the many ways Mainers have dressed themselves for special cultural roles and moments: from the 18th century to the 20th, from firemen to brides, from immigrants to Masons, from children to generals.” 489 Congress St., Portland.

From Jan. 2 to May 27. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $3 for children $8 for adults $7 seniors and students. www.mainehistory.org

Thursday, Jan. 5 Vein Healthcare Center free leg screenings 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Vein Healthcare Center will be giving free leg screenings. “Patient visits will include a venous exam of both legs, an overview of treatment options and an opportunity to have questions answered by Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, one of the leading phlebology (vein health) specialists in Maine.

Though the leg screening is free, an appointment is required.”

Call the Vein Healthcare Center at 221-7799 to make an appointment, or visit www.veinhealthcarecenter.com for more information. The Vein Healthcare Center is located in South Portland at 100 Foden Road, Suite 307.

West Commercial St. zoning meeting 6:30 p.m. Neighborhood meeting for the J.B. Brown proposal on West Commercial St., hosted by the applicants.

The meeting is on Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Reiche Community Center. The Planning Board hearing on this proposal will be on Tuesday, Jan. 10. J.B. Brown & Sons, represented by Vincent Veroneau, seek a zone map change in the area of 113 to 201 West Commercial St. According to a planning board memo, “The site is a 10.65-acre former rail yard and is predominantly vacant.

The applicants propose to change the zoning on the majority of the site (plus or minus 8.5 acres) from Waterfront Port Development (WPDZ) and Residential R-4, to Mixed Use Commercial, B-5b. While no fixed plans are in place for a specific development, the applicant has provided conceptual master plans of the site showing commercial office buildings and surface parking along West Commercial Street.”

Friday, Jan. 6 Auditions for Performance Troupes 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Auditions for Performance Troupes, Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St. “Seeking actors ages 11-17 to join the Kids on the Block puppeteer troupe and/or the Youth Voices On Stage anti-bullying performance troupe. Audition will include improvisation. No experience necessary; new faces encouraged.” More information: www.kitetails.org, 828-1234, ext. 247. see next page

THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011— Page 15

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5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by Lucid Stage for a First Friday Art Walk reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The new show in the Lucid lobby gallery is “Trees” by artist Cindy Ciccotelli. Her medium is paper on canvas, and the subject is brightly colored, stylized trees.

‘Reflection, Revelation, Resolution’ 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gallery at Harmon’s & Barton’s presents “Reflection, Revelation, Resolution,” a collection of inspirational dance images by Maine photographer Arthur Fink and encaustic artist Lori Austill. 584 Congress St., Portland. First Friday Art Walk reception, exhibit and sale through January.

Refugee Women’s Craft Collective 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Meg Perry Center at 644 Congress St., Portland, First Friday Art Walk for The Refugee Women’s Craft Collective. “Imagine arriving in a country where everything, from language to social customs, is different from everything you have ever known. To a refugee, our country is another world. Many refugee women arrive uneducated and illiterate and have difficulty in adjusting to their new lives in America. It is difficult to find work because they are unable to afford childcare for their children. ... A group of refugee women have come together to form the Refugee Women’s Craft Collective as a way to support their families, eliminating the language barrier that they all face. The women in the group originate from areas such as, Burma, Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan. Please help us support the women as they work to rebuild their lives. You can make a difference in the lives of refugee women! For additional information on this event, please contact Jacqui Deveneau, jacquio50@yhaoo.com, 772-1051.”

Tireless Device: A Living Paper Dress 5 p.m. “Tireless device, a work in progress by Maria Paz Garaloces, brings together a number of different media, such as sculpture, installation, performance and design, which are merged together to create a fictional scene that focuses on aspects of beauty, drama, obsession and imagination. It is a multidimensional piece that explores the relationship between body and object and the object in action.

It also investigates the power of ‘the unexpected’ allowing the material to express itself, to express what was already hidden and had never been discovered.” Free at SPACE Gallery.

‘Axed! Slashes Through Stereotypes’

Saturday, Jan. 7 ‘The Real Stories of Incarcerated Women’ 1 p.m. From Jan. 5 to Jan. 31, Freeport Library will be hosting Family Crisis Services’ “More Than a Rap Sheet: The

“It’s not a hotdog if it’s not a Chicago Dog”

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Wednesday, Jan. 11 Meet the Mayor at SPACE Gallery

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance and Creative Portland are co-hosting a “Meet the Mayor” event for the local arts and cultural community.

“Portland’s first elected mayor in 88 years, Mayor Michael Brennan was sworn into office on Dec. 6, telling Portlanders: ‘My success will also be your success, and I Auditions for ‘Wiley can only be successful with you.’ Expressand the Hairy Man’ ing an interest in working across sectors to 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Auditions for “Wiley address community issues, Mayor Brenand the Hairy Man” at the Children’s nan also acknowledged the significant Museum & Theatre of Maine, 142 Free “Mamma Mia!”, The smash hit musical value the arts, culture, and creative econStreet, Portland. Seeking actors ages based on the songs of ABBA, comes to Mer- omy add to the city. This event will provide 8 to 17. Audition will include improv rill Auditorium. (COURTESY IMAGE) Portland’s arts and cultural community an games and movement. No experience opportunity to meet the mayor, hear briefly necessary; new faces encouraged. More information: www. about his priorities in the months ahead and to ask questions. kitetails.org, 828-1234, ext. 247.

Information about the hosts and the event can be found at portlandarts.org and liveworkportland.org.” Free, all ages.

22nd Annual Portland Bridal Show www.space538.org/events.php 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. “Don’t miss Maine’s most popular bridal show at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. Over 100 U.S. Postal Service processing operations vendors and 900 brides will take part in this annual event. consolidation meeting in Brewer You can plan your wedding in one day! Talk to professional 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The U.S. Postal Service will hold a public caterers, bakers, photographers, florists, spa experts, DJs, meeting to discuss its proposal to move mail processing bands, and more. Saturday night is Lover’s Night where operations from the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribugrooms get in free. Be sure to stop into our VIB Lounge tion Facility in Hamden to the Southern Maine Processing (Very Important Bride) to sample drinks from Pinnacle and Distribution Center in Scarborough. The public meetVodka and Pine State Beverage. Attend our ‘Ask Amber’ Q ing originally scheduled for Dec. 29 to explain this proposal & A session with Amber Small from Sweetest Thing Wedand to allow public input has been rescheduled for Jan. dings, Floral Design, and Events. Each bride will get a copy 11, 2012. The time and location remain the same: 6 p.m. of the 2012 Real Maine Weddings magazine, and be able to 7 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering, East West Industrial Park, 5 to enter the 2012 Real Maine Wedding of the Year contest!”

Coffin Ave, Brewer. Anyone who wishes to submit comments Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring St., Portland. From Jan. in writing can send them to: Manager, Consumer and Indus7 to Jan. 8. Saturday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. try Contact, Northern New England District, 151 Forest Ave., to 3 p.m. $10 admission. $5 admission to the VIB Lounge Portland, ME, 04101. All comments must be postmarked Jan. Saturday night. Free for grooms on Saturday night. www.

13, 2012.” maineweddingassociation.com

Thursday, Jan. 12

Monday, Jan. 9

Portland Ovations presents ‘Mamma Mia!’

Saint Mary’s Garden Club 11 a.m. “Saint Mary’s Garden Club will be presenting Rhonda Davis, from Harmon and Barton, inspiring us all to create beautiful arrangements to get us through the winter.

Open to the public.” The Regional Learning Center at Tidewater Farm, Clearwater Drive, Falmouth. Contact: Wilma Sawyer, 781-4889. Fee: $10.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 Historic Maine Storms 1:30 p.m. Falmouth Historical Society. “Meteorologist Joe Cupo, a member of WCSH Channel 6 News Center team, will discuss historic Maine storms. Joe enjoys studying history and especially how weather has played a role in historic events. Join us for this exciting presentation and hear about FHS future events while you enjoy the refreshments. Parking is on Blueberry Lane.” OceanView Community Room, 20 Blueberry Lane, Falmouth.

Film screening of ‘Dragonslayer’ 7:30 p.m. “‘Dragonslayer’ documents the transgressions of a lost skate punk falling in love in the stagnant suburbs of Fullerton, California in the aftermath of America’s economic collapse. Taking the viewer through a golden SoCal haze of broken homes, abandoned swimming pools and stray glimpses of unusual beauty, ‘Dragonslayer’ captures the life

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8 p.m. The smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA comes to Merrill Auditorium. Performances begin on Thursday, Jan. 12 and run through Saturday, Jan. 14 at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. “Seen by over 50 million people around the world, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ is celebrating over 4,000 performances in its tenth smash hit year at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre and remains among Broadway’s top selling musicals.”

The performance schedule for “Mamma Mia!” at Merrill Auditorium is Thursday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, contact PortTix at 842-0800.

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Tri-Colored Tortelinni........................15.95 with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce, served w/ vegetable

New Year’s Eve Prime Rib Special. . .19.95 served with Twice-Baked Potato and vegetable

Join us for happy hour and enjoy 1/2 PRICED APPETIZERS and 1/2 PRICE PIZZA 4-6PM Mon. thru Fri.!

Everyday Lunch Features From $5.95 118 Preble St., Portland, ME at the entrance to Downtown Portland

207-699-5959 • www.grdimillos.com

Pizza - Pasta - Parmagiana - Espresso - Cannoli - Steak

8 p.m. “Who was Lizzie Borden? ‘Axed!’ is an evening of one-act plays by Carolyn Gage that explore the identity of one of the most misunderstood women in New England history. The plays will be presented at Lucid Stage in Portland at 8 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7, and in a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8. Both of the plays present the alleged ax murderer through the eyes of women who had intimate connections with her. The first play, ‘Lace Curtain Irish,’ is a one-woman play featuring Denise Poirier in the role of Bridget Sullivan, the Irish maid who was present on the morning of the murders. This production, directed by Ariel Francoeur, premiered this fall in an Off-Off Broadway Festival. The second play, ‘The Greatest Actress Who Ever Lived,’ directed by Gage, takes a look at Lizzie through the eyes of her lesbian lover — the famous actress Nance O’Neil. In this play, Karen Ball, in the role of Nance, spars with a closeted tabloid reporter played by Joseida Lord.

The play also premiered this fall in New York at the Fresh Fruit LGBT Festival. The plays will be followed by a talkback with the playwright and the actors.” The event is a fundraiser for Lucid Stage, produced by Cauldron & Labrys Productions. Tickets for the event are $12 ($10 for students and seniors).

and times of Josh ‘Skreech’ Sandoval, a local skate legend and new father, as his endless summer finally collides with the future.” SPACE Gallery,538 Congress St., Portland. Admission $7; $5 for SPACE members. www.dragonslayermovie.com

Real Stories of Incarcerated Women,” an exhibit featuring photographs and the poems of Maine’s incarcerated women. The exhibit will officially open on Jan. 7. At 1 p.m., FCS staff and women from the project will be discussing the roots of the exhibit and reading select poems. The snow date for the opening is scheduled for Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Family Crisis Services, the domestic violence agency for Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties, has been working with incarcerated women at Cumberland County Jail and Maine Correctional Center since 2000; a community where approximately 95 percent of the women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetimes.

Pizza - Pasta - Parmagiana - Espresso - Cannoli - Steak

from preceding page

Lucid Stage First Friday Art Walk

Page 16 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Gifts blanketed in snow adorn the Waterville home where Ayla Reynolds went missing. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Ayla’s disappearance spurs hundreds of tips

BY MATTHEW ARCO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN

Authorities say they received about 330 tips and have worked in excess of 5,000 hours in an effort to locate missing 20-month-old Maine toddler, Ayla Reynolds.

The Waterville Police Department released the figures Tuesday, just a day after they announced it's unlikely Ayla wandered off on her own; rather she was taken by someone from her father's home, said Police Chief Joseph Massey, of the Waterville Police Department.

"At this point in the investigation, we are very confident that Ayla did not let herself out of the house," said Massey in a news release. "We believe that someone removed Ayla from the house."

Ayla was living with her father, Justin DiPietro, when she was reported missing Dec. 17 from a Waterville home located at 29 Violette Ave. DiPietro told police the toddler was last seen sleeping in her bed at about 10 p.m. the previous day.

On Tuesday, Massey issued a statement saying investigators and search-

ers from the Maine Warden Service estimated they logged more than 5,000 hours attempting to locate Ayla.

Officials received about 330 leads since she disappeared, including several from as far away as California, according to police.

"Our detectives are working to thoroughly investigate these leads, requesting assistance from investigators across America when necessary," reads the statement.

Police said about 100 of the new tips were received within 24 hours of the announcement of a $30,000 cash reward for information leading to the location and return of Ayla.

John Nale, a Waterville attorney, spoke Monday for the Waterville community, pleading that the missing toddler be turned over to authorities. "… On behalf of the people of the greater Waterville community and through the generosity, support and kindness of a number of individuals and businesses in the area, I offer a $30,000 reward," Nale said.

Anyone with information on Ayla should call the Waterville Police Department at 680-4700.

Renovations could begin next summer PLANS from page 13

Pratt said the next big step will be to go out to bid for a construction manager, which he explained is like the equivalent of a general contractor.

The construction manager will work alongside the architectural firms, he said.

"They need to work hand-in-glove to make sure that we get what it is that we're supposed Pratt to get, which is maximizing the budget that we have to squeeze every ounce of utility out of the dollars that we have and not waste any money," Pratt said.

The renovation project, which is expected to run the course of at least three years, could begin as early as the summer of 2012, though a final timeline has yet to be hashed out.

Pratt said officials are working quickly in order to take advantage of good bond rates and the current low cost of financing.

"At the same time, we have one shot to do this and everybody agrees that that we are going to do our absolute best to make sure that this isn't a 'good' project, but that this is a great project," Pratt said.

In November, voters approved the $33 million renovation of the Civic Center, with 40,615 voting in favor of the measure and 29,583 opposing it, according to election results.

In Portland, 66 percent of voters supported the renovation, with 10,672 votes in favor and 5,238 against.