June 2017
Observatory Opens For 210th Season See Our Story Inside On Page Two
Up Portland 06.17 On The Web At: www.upportland.com Page 1
Observatory Open For Season, But Don’t Miss Flag Day! The Observatory (Up Portland’s symbol) recently opened for the 2017 season and as it has for 210 years, the 30-mile view from up top could not be more magnificent. Originally — in the days before radio or electronic communications — Captain Lemuel Moody built the tower as a vantage point to let ship owners know when their vessels were getting close to port so they could ready their unloading crews. He’d charge an annual $5 fee for his service, which back then was a fair amount of cash, but it helped make Portland one of the East Coast’s best and busiest ports. This service continued until the 1920’s when Marconi’s radio made the signal tower obsolete and it fell into disrepair. Later, it was donated to the City of Portland. Restorations were done and the tower reopened, but this time to tourists in 1939. In 1984 Greater Portland Landmarks assumed management of the tower, opening it for regular tours. This relationship continues today, but as the tower is unheated, it’s only open from late May thru Columbus day each year, with the biggest day being 14th June — Flag Day. On that day, the usual admission price is suspended, docents are on each floor and hopefully the weather cooperates as flags fly from the tower. Regular Observatory hours are daily from 10 a.m. till 4.30 p.m., with several sunset Thursdays in mid-Summer from 5 till 8 p.m. Aside from Flag Day, admission is $10, Seniors/ Students / AAA $8, and Children ages 6-16 $5. Portland residents get a deal with Adults $5, Children ages 6-16 $3; a Family rate of $30, under 6 and Landmarks members free. Plan now to visit. Meanwhile go to www.portlandlandmarks.org/ observatory/ for more info.
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Flavonoids O
O
Adenosine Triphosphate
chelated
macronutrient
Mixed Tocopherols
enzymes
alkalinity
long-chain fatty acids
Essential Amino Acids
micronutrient
Polysaccharides
oxidation
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Sauntering With Mat
By Mat Robedee / Up Portland Commentator
It is difficult to deny, this Spring has not only been full of gorgeous apple blossoms and long-awaited warmth, but it’s also been one of unbroken somber days and consistent rain. Thankfully for three consecutive days in late May, the clouds parted, allowing for the sun to grace us with her presence. Towards the tail end of this sunny slight stretch, I awoke hearing my flatmates talking about how Bug Light Park in South Portland was hosting a kite festival that day. Never attending before and being a lover for new and spontaneous adventures, I slathered on in sunscreen, hopped on my bike and set off for the day. Since the weather had just peaked into the 90s a couple days prior, everyone had officially come out of hibernation. To avoid inner city chaos and for the sake of my own sanity, I stuck to the Portland trail system starting from where Washington Avenue meets up with 295. This looped me around the Eastern Prom and down the unavoidable Commercial Street where the road was full of vape smokers, colourfully clad hipsters and Massachusetts license plates. Like a fish upstream, I pedaled with all I had until I reached the Casco Bay Bridge, which would bring me into sanity in South Portland. The Casco Bay Bridge is remarkable and allows for some truly incredible coastal views. What I discovered that day though is that my favourite part of the bridge is underneath it! After crossing, I decided to loop back and was absolutely amazed to find Thomas Knight Park was tucked away hidden below the bridge. Upon researching further, I discovered this park is where the former Million Dollar Bridge was from 1917 to 1997. It also spanned the Fore River and entered South Portland. Nowadays this 1.5-acre park not only has incredible vistas but a public dock, chess tables and benches to enjoy. I sat in this park for a bit, bouncing around, checking out new sights and splashing about on the docks before I was off riding again. Continuing on the trail system from the bridge brought me through Ferry Village. Not only are the trails perfectly maintained here but also the views of Portland from across the harbor are stellar. This area of South Portland is charming and having its own shore side Hannaford’s is an added bonus. Approaching Bug Light Park I was taken aback by the volume of people pouring into the festival. I thought the event was going to be a smaller gathering with a couple food trucks and families flying kits here and there. I was absolutely wrong. The Bug Light Kite Festival, hosted by the South Portland Historical Society, was easily one of the highlights of my Springtime. Thousands of people filled the park and the sky was overflowing with kites of various sizes, styles and colours. Music and laughter filled the air. Perhaps it was the sunshine warming peoples’ skin or the astonishing amount of colour filling the sky, but everyone seemed to be in the best spirits. Passing by
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strangers, everyone smiled at one another and shared laughter as kites dipped, dived and at times crashed throughout the park. The real show stopper was a massive purple squid kite that swam about in the air. Children danced below it as many others, such as myself, sprawled out on blankets to relax and take it all in. After an hour stay at the festival, I hugged the coast from Bug Light and kept riding. This route passed me by the Spring Point Edge lighthouse, SMCC and eventually to Willard Beach. After a few stops to take deep breaths of salt air and gaze upon the surf at the beach, my stomach growled. Of course this was perfect timing to be hungry because any trip to Willard Beach is not complete without a stop at what I feel is one of the best shops around – Scratch Bakery. On my top list of favourite bakeries and home of my favourite Maine bagel, Scratch Bakery pumps out some truly incredible artisanal breads & pastries. I ordered a roast beef sandwich and a large fudge brownie. Perfection! Hopping a seat outside on one of their picnic tables, I nearly inhaled my meal. The word delicious does not even do their food justice. A shop where the staff is just as outstanding as the food, Scratch Bakery is certainly a SoPo destination not to be missed. From Scratch we meandered our way down quaint neighbourhood streets until we eventually connected back up to the trail system around Broadway. The trails get a bit wonky though and after getting a bit mixed up, I rode route 1 back to Portland over the Veterans Bridge onto the Fore River Parkway. My legs were starting to ache at this point and the sun was slowly fading upon the horizon. I decided to finally make my way home. I enjoy cycling because it allows time to see so much more than other forms of transport. For instance, as I was pedalling along Fore River Parkway — a road I drive my car on daily — when I noticed through the trees was the new Bunker Brewery. Being in full exposure to the sun all day and exerting myself so physically, when I first saw the brewery, I questioned if this was a mirage of sorts. Luckily for my sake it was not, so I decided to celebrate a day of solid adventuring the best way possible – by kicking my feet up at sunset and sipping down some frosty local brews.
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New Ice Cream Stand On The Waterfront Is Historic Family Affair Take an historic building. Add a family who likes to work and play together and you get Casco Bay Creamery — downtown’s newest ice cream parlour, which opened Memorial Day Weekend. If you like walking along Commercial Street and the Eastern Prom, this is just the spot to stop for some great Gifford’s Ice Cream to cool down. We will give the address but, well, there really is not one, though the city “assigned” the Hasson Family (from left in the photo: Ollie, Maddie, mom Anna, Aiden and dad Doug), who own and operate the place, 6 Commercial Street. If you frequent the Commercial Street area between Franklin and India streets then think sorta across the street from Arabica Coffee and Rosemont Deli. Or think the old ticket office for the Maine Narrow Gauge Railway. See, according to the owners of Casco Bay Creamery, after a couple years of disrepair and vacancy, the city was searching for something to do with that old kiosk. The railway has not used it in ages and has a full ticket office these days at their museum down the tracks past the Ocean Gate Terminal. Add to that, the city is working with vendors to move the craft and other sales, along with tour salesmen and their desks a bit east of Franklin Street. In fact, there are rules these days that on days when large ships come in, none of the vendors can set up on Commercial west of Franklin to allow sidewalk access for locals and visitors. All that left the tiny building in need of some T.L.C. and a new use. Enter the Hassons. They reside in Connecticut as well as on Peaks Island and approached the railroad and city with an idea: remodel the tiny space (likely easier measured in square inches than square feet) and sell quality ice cream there from around Memorial Day until after Labour Day. That would appeal to both locals and visitors, plus put the Lilliputian space to good (and delicious) use. The project for Casco Bay Creamery started last Autumn when they moved the building a few yards east of its old location, then did a basic rebuild and remodel, literally from the ground up. Amazing how weather and time will work on a building right by the bay here in Maine. After the basic work, it sat thru the Winter’s snows, gathering speculation as to what was happening, until the Casco Bay Creamery sign went up a few weeks ago and passers-by spotted Doug and Ollie inside getting ready for the opening, which took place (“softly” as they say) just a couple days before Memorial Day.
be staffed by the family, their friends and students. But probably the biggest challenge (as you will see when you visit Casco Bay Creamery) was not getting or (hopefully keeping) staff, nor choosing which flavours of ice cream to serve, but it has been fitting the freezers, a few inches for staff to stand and needed supplies in the tiny space. It will be worth dropping by just to see how those logistics work out, but remember those baskets we mentioned? Those will be key, along with keeping the place staffed at the end of the season, when ships arrive with literal boatloads of potential customers, but after Ollie and his ilk are back in class. But like every challenge so far — from putting in electricity at the tiny building to passing health inspections and figuring out where to put the napkins, Doug smiles and says he’s sure it will work out. As of presstime, the only challenge he’s still not overcome was (get ready for it) figuring out where to put a tip jar for his staff. Though we are 100% sure that, too, shall get done.
But that’s the history. What about now and beyond? Doug told Up Portland, in between putting up new ceiling tiles, hanging baskets above the windows so high that a step-stool is needed to reach them (remember space is at as much a premium as their frozen confections) that they have signed with Gifford’s, the ice cream made in Skowhegan, to sell their treats exclusively and (talk about hard duty) they got to sample every flavour to pick those which will be on offer all Summer. There will also be a couple of flavours which will rotate in and out for a week or two to add variety to the stand-bys. Treats will be offered from “kid size” to medium and large...and in cones and cups. There will also be chocolate and rainbow jimmies (a.k.a. sprinkles) and other options. Doug noted that the place will be open from 10 a.m. thru 10 p.m. most days and
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Young Star Takes To Stage @ Anthony’s
Anthony’s Wonderful World of Broadway show is back in June and this time will star Alicia Fournier, who at 18 will be one of the theatre’s younger performers. Alicia, who lives in Scarborough, has, since age five loved to sing and perform. She has appeared in countless local shows and has sung from Maine to New York City. She is also a proud member of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, based in New York and was first invited to sing for them while going through her
second brain surgery at NYU Medical Centre. Alicia has battled epilepsy since age three and has never tired in her fight against the disease. “She is a warrior whose passion for singing has carried her throughout this journey in good times and bad. She is always honoured to take the stage and prove that dreams can always come true,” Anthony told Up Portland. The June show is Saturday the 24th at 7 p.m. Tickets (including an Italian buffet) are $34.95 including free parking. Reservations & info: ring 207/221.2267.
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Financial Focus
On another topic this time of year: June is Father’s Day so it’s time to consider what you are giving dad. Surely not another bottle of cologne or tie, right? Dad will probably like any gift you give him, of course, but this year, why not go beyond the ordinary by presenting your father with an appropriate financial gift.
By Michael Wright / CFP — Edward Jones (EDITOR’S NOTE—Welcome to our new financial column, which is provided to Up Portland by Michael Wright, a Certified Financial Planner with Edward Jones. Michael welcomes comments and questions and may be reached thru the newspaper or by phone at 855/841.9563.) Despite Maine’s cool damp weather, it’s Summer again – time for many of us to take a break and possibly hit the open road. But if you go on vacation, you won’t want your investments to do the same – in summertime or any other season. How can you help make sure your portfolio continues to work hard for you all year long? Here are a few suggestions: —Avoid owning too many “low growth” investments. As you know, different investments have different characteristics and can help you in different ways. For example, you typically own stocks because you want them to grow in value so that you can eventually sell them for a profit. Other investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), provide you with a regular source of income and stability of principal – two valuable contributions to your portfolio. However, investments like CDs don’t offer much in the way of growth. So if you own too many of them, you might be slowing your progress toward your important financial goals, such as a comfortable retirement.
Here’s a suggestion: Help Dad reach a distant goal. For example, if you know your father will be retiring in, say, 10 years, you could give him some type of bond that matures just when he retires. During those 10 years, he will receive regular semi-annual interest payments, and when the bond matures, he’ll get the original principal back. He can then use this money to help fulfill a long-held dream — perhaps one of travelling the world or even opening a small business. Whatever he decides to do with the money, it will make a nice retirement gift. If you’re giving Dad a corporate bond, make sure it’s “investment grade,” which means it has received one of the highest ratings for safety from one of the major bond-rating agencies. Investment-grade bonds are generally the least likely to default. Finally, you may want to help Dad plan his legacy. Although your father may be interested in what sort of legacy he will leave, he may not yet have taken any steps in this area – in particular, he might not have created a comprehensive estate plan. You might consider giving your father some resources on estate planning, such as books or online articles. Better yet, though, consider setting him up for a consultation with a legal professional. It will take considerable time and effort to create the necessary documents, such as a will, a living trust, a durable power of attorney and so on – and since the future is not ours to see, it’s best to take care of these tasks sooner, rather than later. Father’s Day is just a blip on the calendar. But by giving Dad some valuable financial gifts, you can help brighten all his days.
You can maximise the productivity of your portfolio by owning a variety of investments – domestic stocks, international stocks, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury securities, CDs and more. How much of each investment should you own? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including your age, income, risk tolerance, family situation and specific objectives. Over time, your ideal investment mix may change, but you’ll likely need at least some growth potential at every stage of your life. —Don’t let your portfolio go “unsupervised.” Your investment portfolio can be subject to “drift” if left alone for extended time periods. In fact, without your making any moves at all, your portfolio can move in directions that may not be favourable to you. Suppose you think your holdings should be made up of 70% stocks, but due to strong gains, your stocks now make up 80% of your portfolio. This development could lead to a risk level that feels uncomfortably high to you. That’s why you should review your portfolio at least once a year, possibly with the help of a financial professional, to check your progress and make adjustments as needed. —Don’t stop at the nearest “resting place.” Some people hope that if they can get that one “winner,” they will triumph in the investment arena. But the ability to “get rich quick” is much more of a myth than a reality. True investment success typically requires patience, persistence and the resilience to continue investing even during market downturns. In other words, investing is a long-term endeavour, and you need a portfolio that reflects this reality. The investment moves you make today may pay off for you decades from now. You need to establish your goals and keep them constantly in mind as you invest. And you will never really reach the end of your investment journey, because you’ll need to make choices and manage your portfolio throughout your retirement years. Hopefully, you will enjoy a pleasant vacation sometime this Summer. But your investment portfolio shouldn’t take time off.
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It’s All About Food & Drink Welcome to Up Portland’s monthly crossword. It seems that the longer we live here in this wonderful corner of the world, the more famous our food and drink (and the places which serve and pour it) become, so this month, we’ve dedicated our crossword to things to eat and drink, and places and firms which make them. As always, comments are welcome at ted@ upportland.com and the solution is on Page 22. Oh, and the photos are some “hints” to a few answers... Good luck!
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Food For Thought... What happens when a food writer has a birthday? Well, they pick somewhere they want to go eat, grab friends and head there. For this writer, who’s been to all those “big names” on the peninsula and beyond, after hearing the positive comments last month about our review of Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, the place of choice this birthday was The Maine Diner in Wells. We’ve heard rave reviews of it almost since we set foot in Portland, but somehow we always whizzed by Wells on the turnpike and never managed to stop. Before now. All we can say after having finally made the journey to The Maine Diner on U.S. 1 is we have been missing out, as their combination of traditional diner food (breakfasts, burgers, soups, etc.) is totally eclipsed by their seafood offerings. It’s easy to see why Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, along with The NBC Today Show have all visited and raved. In fact, our recommendations to visit came not from Portland or even Maine friends, but from the birthday boy’s sister who lives in Central Florida. Seems she makes a beeline for the diner anytime she visits her favourite areas around Ogunquit or Kittery. And not being one to doubt her veracity, we made it in the door with not a minute’s wait about 1 p.m. on a weekday just before Memorial Day — something we were told will become increasingly impossible to accomplish as the season cranks up. In fact, Nanette, our excellent waitress, who’s been at the diner about 25 years, said those waits can stretch out the door and down the walk as the season peaks, meaning our advice is to stop reading and head for Wells A.S.A.P. for some genuine Maine eats. After all the hoop-la we were given about a menu item called The Triple D, we hardly could pass it up, even at the market price of $32. That sounds stiff on the surface, but given that seafood, and especially lobster, is pretty pricy after the long cold Maine Winter we just had, it was not at all out of line. So what’s in a Triple D, which is, by the way the dish the TV shows raved about?
The menu simply and very understatedly says: “3 Maine Diner Classics as featured on the television show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Start with a cup of Seafood Chowder, then have a lobster pie and codfish cake.” All sounds pretty innocent until we add that they fail to mention some magnificent slaw, a muffin the size of a boxer’s fist (house-made corn or blueberry) and a choice of potato, are thrown in too. But the star of the show was, to us, not the lobster pie (more on that in a few sentences) but the chowder. We are used to great chowders. Afterall, this IS Maine and everyone from Gilbert’s to Dock’s to Kamasouptra offers their own chowder recipe. Most of them are very nice and very local, though we feel too many of them are seafood flavoured potato soups, as they have plenty of the latter and not much of the former. But the one at Maine Diner is different. First off, the one they include in the Triple D is not Clam Chowder (though they do have that, too), but Seafood Chowder. There were, I am sure, some clams in there, but there was also a whole lobster claw meat, plenty of scallops and all manner of flavour. It’s easy to see why the menu proudly proclaims it’s been the winner for years at nearby Ogunquit’s Chowderfest. It really was that good, and as the day was one of the late May chilly, damp, dreary ones, it was the perfect warmer, too. In any season I can see myself ordering a cup ($5.50) or bowl ($9.95) on visits here. Next came the main meal with the lobster pie. It was little short of wonderful, too. The raves about it are not just from this reviewer, but the menu proudly states that its been featured in The Cook’s Magazine, Good Food, Road Food, Eat Your Way Across The USA and the two previously mentioned TV programmes. And the description goes on to note, “Our Specialty - A secret recipe that our family has passed along. Tender chunks of fresh lobster meat are topped with our own delicious crumb and then baked to perfection in a casserole dish.” Served along with melted butter this one alone would make a full meal, but we did not stop there because the Triple D also came with a wonderfully delicious Codfish Cake, which for those not in the know is a mix of mashed potatoes and salted cod made into a patty, breaded and fried. Please note that we never said anything about low cal or cholesterol, but we did say things about great food and service. Afterall, it was our birthday, though we will be looking for any excuse to return to the Maine Diner long, long before another year passes.
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Before we move on, we need to mention our dining companion had a bit less appetite than we, so he ordered the baked stuffed haddock with crabmeat stuffing and raved along with us not only because it included the same great sides (muffin, slaw, potato, etc.) but because it was, like everything that appeared on our plates, wonderful. So how much was the whole meal? After I mention we just laughed when Nanette asked did we wish dessert as we had no pocket to put it in, being stuffed, the bill came to $59.24. We added a more than 20% tip for the super service and the smile that went along and still escaped for under $75, which for a birthday dinner at our house made this not only a winner as far as food and service, but way less than last year’s meal at one of the “big name” spots in Portland. Our conclusion: Head for the Maine Diner in Wells and try to get there before you find those lines until the last visitors leave in October. They are open all year, daily from 7 a.m. and you can find out more (including the menus and detailed directions for the half-hour ride south from downtown Portland) at www.mainediner.com Oh, and we asked them one thing their website forgot, which is: do they take plastic. The answer is yes. Master Card, VISA and Discover happily accepted. Birthday or any day, eat at The Maine Diner and do not miss a single bite! Please Continue On The Next Page
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More Food For Thought...
Well, nobody so far is saying who or what, but a few weeks back paper covered the windows and we’ve heard construction noises when we pass so it’s safe to say something is about to take the space. Whether or not it will be food is anyone’s guess, so stay tuned...
Continued From The Previous Page —Meanwhile on the food front back on the peninsula, drop by at Middle Street’s East Ender and check out the new decor. It was truly a miracle (and no small one at that) that they closed for just a few days in May and reopened with a new look entirely. We have not been by to check out menu changes (but they do that regularly, anyway) but looking in the windows and watching the work we can say the new look is very cozy and the fact they pulled it off with such a brief closure is little short of miraculous. —Manda’s doing double duty these days. In case you are not familiar with her, she’s been baker/manager/chief cook & bottle washer at Portland Pottery Cafe (118 Washington Avenue), and now she steps back from all but baking there to become a baker and chef at Monument Square’s Foley’s Cakes, where she’s taken a number of her specialties and added those to the great cakes, pastries and lunches Foley’s offers. If you are a lover (as is this writer) of a great cream horn for breakfast, then check out what Manda’s got going over at Foley’s. We did not think anything existed which would pull our loyalty away from the great Baker’s Bench cream horns which get brought in from Westbrook to Coffee By Design locations, but Foley’s has done it. We will still visit CBD for the happy staffers, the coffee and Baker’s Bench cinnamon rolls (the best in town) but our cream horn loyalty has changed thanks to Manda’s oh-so-light puff pastry shell and light cream filling. Oh, and we got a tip from Manda when we were in the other day, because we tend to pick up a cream horn or two and keep them for tomorrow’s breakfast. We’ve always kept them in the fridge, but she changed that by reminding that the icing is perfectly fine unrefrigerated and putting cream horns in the ice box will make the pastry part tough. Whoever knew? By the way, before we move on, Manda’s still doing the baking for Portland Pottery Cafe, too, so look for those to-die-for chocolate chunk cookies and more at their counter, too. You (and she) can truly have your cake and eat it too at both spots! —Remember Hero? It was that very, very short-lived sandwich shop at 30 City Centre (left) which was co-owned by the folks who run Otto and those who run Empire. It opened last year in March and shut down before Labour Day, leaving an empty space.
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—Finally, I feel sorry for the folks who own Union Bagel on Cumberland Avenue (above). Not only are they so busy with wholesale orders and contracts that they are opening a baking facility off Veranda Street in East Deering, but they routinely sell out at the tiny original location. So why be sorry? Because it seems that while the public loves their bagels (including this reviewer’s household) others seen to get all the press — especially those from another baker, which we feel are more like donuts dipped in a bit of wallpaper paste and lack the consistency of what we’d call real bagels. This is a review column and one reviewer’s opinion, but at our house we just do not think the ones elsewhere are that good. Along the same line, recently, Mister Bagel got a lot of press on their 40th anniversary and while many are fiercely loyal (and congrats to them on longevity), we also do not find their bagels as good as those from Union. Remember this column is a reviewer’s opinion, so agree or disagree we tell what we think... and what we think about Portland’s bagel scene is Union Bagel does it best. Pop in and pick up a half dozen of their everything bagels then share your opinion with us via www.upportland.com Just remember to keep the comments polite.
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Mason Block Condos’ Name Pays Homage To India Street’s History There’s a lot of history over on India Street. From it’s start as one of, if not the, first street in Portland, to its importance as the centre of the immigrant community back when Irish, Italians and Jews made up a huge chunk of the neighbourhood, to its later falling on tougher times to recent rebirth and renewal, India Street has been a microcosm of the city. That’s why not only is it still a central location, but one where history is underfoot everywhere. It’s also why, in connection with their most recent development at 62 India Street, developer, Reger Dasco Properties, in conjunction with their strategic partners, are giving back to the community and paying homage to that area’s history. One of the highlights of a ground breaking and building dedication ceremony
to build a small hospital at 65 India Street. This facility also served as a Milk Dispensary which was previously located at 55 India Street. Chisholm, in honour of her father Edward Mason, who originally owned the land, named the facility The Edward Mason Dispensary. “The facility was intended to serve the underprivileged residents of Portland, and the building has continuously operated in some health care capacity to serve the needs of the less fortunate to this day,” Dasco told Up Portland. That building, at 65 India Street, is now home to the Milestone Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to provide the best quality services to empower individuals with substance use and behavioural health disorders to attain stability, dignity, recovery, and an enhanced quality of life. The Milestone Foundation was founded in 1967 and operates as Maine’s only specialised substance use disorder emergency overnight shelter. In addition, The Milestone Foundation operates Maine’s only non-hospital based inpatient detox clinic. “Every day we read about the addiction crisis or hear about it on the evening news. It is an epidemic that affects us all,” Dasco remarked. “When I visited the Milestone to gain a better understanding of the work they do, it became apparent to me how dedicated the staff are and how they serve such a vital need in our community. We are lucky to have them right in Portland”. In keeping with that spirit, as well as the history of the neighbourhood, Dasco decided that his new 29-unit condominium residence will be called The Mason Block. “The Mason Block represents our third project in the East End. In addition to the monetary gift that we presented to Milestone at the building dedication, we are going to donate a small percentage of sales from every unit we sell at 62 India Street to the Milestone Foundation,” he said.
held on the site in May (above) included presentation of a cheque for $15,000 to the Milestone Foundation. The address is in the heart of the recently adopted India Street historic district. During the process of working with Portland’s Historic and Preservation Board, Joe Dasco, one of the principals of Reger Dasco began researching the India Street neighbourhood where the company’s third condo development is under construction, and what he discovered amazed him as he found what he termed, “some rich and worthy history.” Among the facts he unearthed was that in 1912, a wealthy philanthropist named Elisabeth Chisholm donated land and funds to Bowdoin College Medical School
The new condo building will be a major new addition to the area with four floors, of which the ground floor includes commercial and retail space along India Street, and covered parking. Asked about cost and info on The Mason Block, Dasco said, “Pricing will range from $299,000 to $950,000 and unit types are studios, one, two and three bedroom. The four corner units will each also include a roof top deck.” Reger Dasco Properties is a well-known name in development in Portland, with an office on Middle Street. They have built the MEREDA award-winning 86-unit Bay House as well as expanding on the principles of ‘smart growth’ and efficient urban living, with the recent completion of the residences at 113 Newbury Street. Reger Dasco is also currently working with the Planning Board on plans to develop the former Rufus Deering Lumber site on Commercial Street just east of the Casco Bay Bridge. For more info on The Mason Block, which is well under construction, contact Sandy Johnson on 207/415.2128 or Gail Landry at 207/650.8893 or visit www.TheMasonBlock.com online.
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Downtown’s Most Up-To
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To-Date Map & Directory
4 9 2 6 7
Top Stops By The Numbers
10 8 5
The Observatory
1
Coastal Pharmacy
2
Rite Aid Pharmacy
3
Hannaford (Grocery)
4
Whole Foods
5
CVS Pharmacy
6
Two Fat Cats Bakery
7
Ocean Gate Terminal
8 1
Maine State Pier
Maine Jewish Museum & Etz Chaim Synagogue 10 Longfellow House 9 1
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Hackin’ The Net By Ted Fleischaker / Publisher Questions and more questions. Sadly I do not have nor could I ever even make up all of the answers (or even half of them) but I will try on a couple questions I have been asked of late. The first was asked by a friend here in Portland who said his 2008 computer was on its last legs and he wanted to know “Should I get a laptop or desktop to replace this one or can I survive and be just as happy with an iPad?” First, in full disclosure let me say two things. One is that I have never owned a p.c., only Macs and thus I can speak to the iPad issue. I am sure that a Microsoft Surface or other firm’s tablet has some, though maybe not all, of the same features an iPad does. And, secondly, I have been buying and using computers since the late 1980s and from my first Mac SE30 to the one I use today, they have all had Apples on the cases. Call me more than a bit biased, too, as my partner works for Apple, though I owned my first one about 25 years before he joined their staff.
likely this will not matter, but if you work for one of the medium or large firms which call Maine home, then you should check with your IT department. Some firms provide laptops or pads with the programmes they want employees to use and elaborate security settings on them. Others will let you work from home or elsewhere with your own device. Before you buy, if employment or on-the-job use is an issue, check and find out what you might want or need. Do keep in mind that what 10 or even five years ago required a standard, often bulky, computer can now be accomplished on a tablet. Programmes like Word and the Apple equivalents (often the latter are free) are available as apps so you can compose, write and do most of the old computer things on a tablet today. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are the names for three of the Apple creativity suite items. And there are other apps and shortcuts so you can e-mail, send files and more from a tablet now. A lot of our friends no longer own or use printers as they aren’t very environmental and they are just not as needed as they used to be, but if you buy that tablet and have or add a printer which works on WiFi you can even print from your easy chair or bedroom. If you do not want to make that investment, places like FedEx / Kinko’s, Staples and many other office supply and work spaces do offer printing service for a nominal fee. You e-mail them the file from your tablet, then go by and pick up your document. Or you can do it from their kiosks, too. Is shopping for a tablet becoming more appealing yet? There are some down-sides to not having a desktop or laptop computer so before you dash out and buy a Microsoft Surface or iPad, please check all the Ts and Is. For instance, you may like to have the “old style” keys or the abilities (that tablets do not) to plug in a variety of peripherals. My desktop still has the ability to plug in a CD ROM drive or let me rip and play CDs for music. I know I’m old fashioned, but my iPad offers neither those outboard items nor the ability to plug any in. Also, before you get a tablet as your main computer keep in mind that battery life for that or a laptop need to be compared. In some cases, the tablet will reign supreme, but not always, so again consider what you will be needing, doing and if you can plug in or will depend upon your own battery.
That aside, the answer for my friend (and readers) is simple: What you should buy depends what you plan to do with your device. I could not use just an iPad as there are really no good programmes like the Adobe Creative Suite to lay out pages. That includes things like InDesign, Photoshop etc. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to lay out the newspaper you are reading without a real computer. But wait, I hear you saying. You do not lay out pages or design ads or photo spreads. That’s a different story and for that, it depends on how intensive you plan to be and what you want to do. A number of firms make great add-on tablet keyboards, so if you do not like typing on the “virtual” one on screen, that can be solved. If you want to save or edit photos, there are programmes like the old iPhoto (now just called Photos) on iPads and you can send photos to the cloud and not worry about back-up drives. There’s also the basic question of “What do you do with your device?” If you play a game or two, read a newspaper or magazine, send and receive some emails and surf the net then go for that tablet. They are cheaper, easier to carry around (and read on in bed or your easy chair) and overall more convenient. If you need or want to do more, then you might have to evaluate laptop or desktop computers. Like anything these days, you also need to consider the way (if at all) your device will mesh with your job. If you are retired or just do volunteer work, then
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On the positive side for tablets I need to add cameras and sound. Most laptops have cameras built in. Most desktop computers do not. Almost all tablets have cameras. This is important if the boss wants to Facetime or teleconference or you just want to chat with your son in Colorado at college or your mom in Montreal. We know few folks who shoot photos with iPads as they are just too cumbersome to take to the pool, lake or ski hill and hold up as a camera. For that, we mostly have phones with cameras. But most tablets do have the same ability, albeit often with less definition and fewer pixels than a stand-alone cam or a phone cam. If this is important to you, check the specs before you buy. And there’s also the matter of sound. I recently bought an iPad Pro. It not only has a sharp screen and thus is great for watching TV and movies, but it has four speakers and the stereo when watching or just listening to internet radio or my own music is unbelievable. Again, ask yourself if this is priority to you. Finally on this topic, look at your wallet. Tablets, laptops and desktops come in all manner of shapes, sizes and with different price tags. There are also warranties. I’d not walk out of Apple without AppleCare’s extended coverage, but every place selling tablets and computers offers some type of insurance or extended care — almost all of which I’d recommend you buy or at least seriously consider. So there you have my best answer. Just like jeans and a t-shirt won’t work for every occasion, nor will a suit or dress or swim gear, computers and tablets are not a one size fits all deal. Ask yourself the questions I posed and any others you can think of then give the best answers you can before you buy. You will thank yourself for doing your homework.
Up Portland 06.17 On The Web At: www.upportland.com
Then there’s that other question I seem to have had with the latest news (BBC Report below) about “ransomware”. And that is what is it and what should I do about it (if anything)?
The ransomware in this case locked any computer infected and demanded a ransom to get a code to unlock it. The most publicised amount this time was $600 per computer, payable by non-refundable bitcoin.
First of all the biggest thing you can and always should do is to keep your computer and other devices up-to-date with the latest versions of their respective operating systems (OS). Microsoft was aware of this bug weeks before it shut down chunks of the world’s computers in mid-May and issued a free update and patch to keep it from spreading in March. Sadly, many of the world’s computer users either did not or could not update.
The good news for those of us who are Mac is that ONLY Microsoft OS computers were affected this time, but the bad news is there will always be a next time. Also, if you are or were infected about the only way (besides paying, and you NEVER NEVER should pay the experts say) to regain your computer was or is to wipe it clean and start over.
Many folks with current OS versions were often lazy and failed to update. Others (including those hard hit like parts of the British medical community associated with the National Health Service) were discovered to still be using Windows XP, a version of the Microsoft OS which was so outdated that patches and support for it were discontinued three years ago! I could go on and on about how it’s difficult to imagine my doctor’s office not keeping my records on a current (and safe) system, but instead I will say this is only one of hundreds of bugs, viruses, malware and other “bad guys” out there, so just like the first line of defence against the flu is an annual shot, the first line of defence at anyplace using computers should and must be keeping current with their OS... and doing so as soon as possible after an update is issued. Next my other bit of free advice: Do not open any e-mails from folks you do not know and if you do and there’s an attached file, do not open or click on it. Same goes for visiting a website when a pop-up advises you to update or download this or that. Things like Java and Adobe Flash are often faked by malware thieves. If you get a message something on your system’s outdated or needs an update, close the message, then go to the software firm’s site and download a fresh copy and update there. This means you will get the genuine Java, Flash, etc. and not give a thief free entry into your computer. So what is ransomware? Various types exist but the one which hit so hard in May was a bug which users were fooled into downloading as either a PDF, a pop-up or other message as I mentioned above. Once it hit one computer on a network, it went on to infect them all. Thus hospitals, offices and the like were especially hard-hit as one wrong click in one office sent it travelling at light speed around the hospital and other offices. Multiply that by a few dozen times and its easy to see why the health service and several big companies were all but shut down.
This (again) stresses the importance of a back-up. You do back up your work and your photos and other items to an external drive or the cloud, right? If you said wrong, stop reading and do that now. Even we “professionals” can be a bit forgetful so I was shocked when I read of the malware to find it had been nine months since I last backed up my own iPhone. Why does it matter? If you have a current back-up you can wipe your hard disc, re-install your OS then put the info you had back on and keep working without delay or ransom payment. If you do not, then you might end up paying the ransom or losing all of your data and use of your gear. Take the time to check right now and if you have not updated your OS with the latest patches and security, do that, too. If you are like me and have not backed up in awhile, do that as well. You can either buy an inexpensive (under $100) external drive and back up locally to that or you can “rent” space on the cloud (it starts at 99¢ a month — that’s Apple’s monthly pricing at right) and back up there, but regardless of where, back up. And not just your computer, but your tablet, and even your phone. I cannot tell you how many friends call me asking about this or show up at the Genius Bar or Geek Squad with a dead or fatally injured device with no back-up. Many have the only photo from last Christmas with Aunt Mary or Uncle Joe who died soon after on their phone. Or they have contact info or other irreplaceable or hard to replace information. Rather than stress when (not if) your device burps, dies or gets compromised, back up and sleep easy.
If you have another copy elsewhere to restore from, while it might be some work, you will not lose your “stuff” forever — either to criminals, thieves or break-downs. Trust me on this one. Do it and remember that just as you’d not leave your wallet open on a Monument Square bench and walk off or your car with the engine running and keys in it in a remote lot, you should not invite malware or data theft to happen. Use common sense, think before you click and always stay updated on that OS. So those are my answers for this issue. If you have questions you’d like me to research and address later this Summer, just send me an e-mail to ted@upportland.com and I will do my best. Happy computing!
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New Sculpture Graces Maine Jewish Museum’s Garden
There’s a new dimension to the garden at the Maine Jewish Museum at Congress & India streets as Antoinette Schultze, sculptor, recently installed four granite and glass sculptures, which will remain on display for two years. Nancy Davidson, the museum’s art curator told Up Portland, “These works will be an addition to the spiritual and meditative qualities of our beautiful garden at Maine Jewish Museum....” and she invited the community to come by and view them during the museum’s regular hours Mondays thru Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
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Up Portland 06.17 On The Web At: www.upportland.com
Processed Media
Though American Gods is not a bad show, it feels oddly hollow, even with the particularly gratuitous violence, poetic monologues and brazen horniness one would expect a super hyped cable network series would have. It continues a trend we’ve seen with shows like Mr. Robot (season two, in particular), the Netflix Marvel series, and to go back a few years, The Newsroom... shows which feel too much like the unfiltered vision of a single person, rather than a collaborative, balanced creative effort.
By Randy Dankievitch — TV Critic / TVOvermind
Has Auteur TV Gone Too Far? Thanks to shows like Twin Peaks, The Sopranos and Breaking Bad, the midto-late 2000’s gave rise to the “Age of the Show Runner”, where shows could be sold to audiences not just by the faces appearing on screen, but the person behind the scenes, managing the project creatively (and often, financially). Writers like Vince Gilligan, Matthew Weiner, Damon Lindeolf and Shonda Rhimes became household names — the trusted shepherds of beloved series, and often the centrepiece of the critical acclaim lauded on such prestige projects. In the last five years, this has led to an astronomical increase in showcase series for networks... shows often green lit and hyped by the names behind the camera, rather than in front of it. Every series Shawn Ryan works on now features the tag line “from the creator of The Shield”, a sign to how the role of show runner has become one of the more prominent (and stressful) jobs in the industry in the last decade. Fan loyalty to a show runner is no joke. Just ask any Community fan what happened to the show once creator Dan Harmon was fired, and watch as their faces squinch into an horrific mix of pain and anger over the monstrosity known as Community season four (eventually dubbed “the gas leak season” once Harmon later returned). Of course, the increased pressure on networks to deliver new projects from beloved creative minds has led to an interesting dichotomy between business and art; with ratings declining across the board, mostly due to the sheer proliferation of new and old series available to be viewed 24/7. Networks are making less from advertisers, yet spending more in development trying to outwow their competition with their latest creative hire. This competition has obviously led to more great television, but it’s also led to some frustrating trends quickly becoming abundant across the television landscape. American Gods, the latest high-concept, big budget series from Starz, went into development in 2015, when they hired Bryan Fuller to write and develop the show, fresh off his magnificent run on Hannibal (and during the time he was still involved with the development of Star Trek: Discovery, which he later departed). It’s a show with all the typical bearings of modern quality television: huge, wellcasted actors, shooting scripts packed with wonderfully pretentious thematic and cultural resonance on a lavish budget, with all the visual and performative freedom a show runner could possibly imagine. This was Fuller, unshackled by the chains of network television (which he pushed to the limits with Hannibal, one of the goriest, most thoroughly unsettling and thoughtful series I’ve ever watched), and let loose to create his own unadulterated vision. Halfway through the first season, it’s a collection of art house friendly sequences with a dope score and a bunch of characters whose names haven’t even been spoken aloud yet.
Look at the numerous filler episodes of Daredevil and The Killing (oh god, The Killing – so much f***ing rain on that show); shows so enamoured with their visual style and thematic structure, they get swallowed by their own creativity and end up hollow, self-serving dramatic pieces that are as forgetful as they are slickly produced. To answer my own question, posed at the head of this article: No, I don’t think the age of Auteur TV has gone too far, especially in a year where David Lynch is given full creative reins of the world of Twin Peaks once again. If you haven’t watched the first four hours of the new season yet, by the way, they are phenomenal! And networks like Amazon and Netflix are letting odd little creative pieces like BoJack Horseman (the most amazing, depressing animated show ever) on air. But there’s certainly a trend to let shows take themselves off the rails in pursuit of a specific creative vision. Even the last season of The Wire (one of the great works of American art) suffers from being a pointed delivery of one man’s thesis on the state of journalism. Not to say these shows are written entirely by one hand (coked out Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing days aside), but a writer’s room ultimately bends to the show runner’s will, and this has led to a lot of underwhelming projects and shows that have all the markings of a quality series, but suffer from the echo of a singular voice through the mouths of every character. As Peak TV reaches its financial precipice (which is beginning to happen; though more shows in total air each year, fewer new series are being ordered by major networks in 2017), hopefully the shift toward collaborative creative design will reign supreme in writer’s rooms once again. Shows like American Gods, as focused and unique as they are in terms of how the deliver and animate their narrative, are going to continue to feel superficial — or in the case of Fargo season three, too adhered to the rhythms and habits of its creator to feel fresh anymore. There’s still hope, obviously; shows like The Leftovers, The Carmichael Show, Rectify (the best show America never watched), 30 Rock and Sense8 are wonderful programmes that would never exist without the person who created them being front and centre, both in advertiser meetings and in the script writing process. But it’s increasingly obvious to tell when a show is just creatively unbalanced. Hopefully, the horrors of Mr. Robot’s second season (or the last 4.5 seasons of Sons of Anarchy) will be remembered as the exception, and not the rule, in the Peak TV Era.
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Up Portland is edited in Portland and printed the last week of every month in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We may be contacted at the e-mail or phone number below. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and fairness, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors. Liability is limited to the cost of said ad. Ads not cancelled by published deadlines may be billed at agreed-upon price. Ads may be edited or rejected for content at the discretion of the publisher. All items appearing in Up Portland, as well as the name, logos and design are copyright 2017 by BBS, A division of High Speed Delivery Fork Ltd. & Ted Fleischaker and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written
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Beyond The Forecast
By Jack Sillin / Weatherman & Meterology Student Hello everyone!
Now why did the pattern all of the sudden go from 45 and drizzle to a record 94 and relentless sun? Interestingly, the same mechanism is responsible for both the development and reversal of the pattern. Mother’s day was marked by heavy rain, high winds, and cold temps. 33.3” of snow fell on the summit of Mt Washington with flakes observed all across the mountains. On the east side of this storm, lots of heat was being transported northward into the Canadian Arctic. This allowed the pattern to reverse and just a couple days later, by 18th May, we were baking in the record 90’s under a hot sun. The map (below) of upper level weather features on the18th shows the difference well.
May featured a dramatic turnaround in weather patterns that will be the focus of this month’s Beyond the Forecast column. For the first two weeks of the month, we were stuck in a brutally March-like pattern with persistent clouds, rain and cold temps. Then just after Mother’s Day, the clouds cleared and we ended up with temps in the 90’s under a scorching sun. What’s behind the extremes? Let’s call it a bad crash on the atmospheric interstate. Our persistent stretch of cold and stormy weather can be attributed to a pattern of high latitude blocking which occurs when enough heat is transported into the Arctic to create a series of long-lasting, stationary high pressure systems. What goes up must come down and thus each stationary high pressure system (warm and sunny weather) has an accompanying stationary low pressure system (cool and stormy weather). This shows up well in a map of upper level weather features on 8th May (below) which I annotated to highlight the high latitude blocking and accompanying cutoff lows, labeled with light green and brown respectively.
Notice how the high pressure centres in the high latitudes weakened and shifted position while the lows to their south weakened and shifted as well. This allowed for warm Pacific and Mexican air to flood across the U.S., including up here in Maine, where a number of cities set record highs, as did our neighbours in Boston, Vermont and New Hampshire — some of those records dating back to the late 1800s. All storms transport heat toward the poles so why do some change the pattern while other’s don’t? Additionally, why do some pattern changing storms send us into a cold and stormy pattern while others have us reaching for the sunscreen? It’s all about the strength and location of the storm. Stronger storms transport more heat poleward and thus it’s only the strong storms that pull the pattern off the rails. Where a strong storm tracks is also key to determining what impact it will have on the pattern.
This pattern has been in place more or less since 10th March, when a powerful system developed across the Central Plains and pushed a massive amount of heat into the Canadian Arctic. This heat is the equivalent of a massive crash right in the middle of the atmospheric “Interstate 295” and following that storm, we’ve been in a “blocked” pattern with a wavy jet stream that has resulted in cool and stormy weather. Blocked patterns give us our big storms here in Maine and we’ve had a few. The 15th of March blizzard was a powerful storm, then we had nearly a foot of snow to kick off April, and several very heavy rain events dominated the first part of May.
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Storms that track across the middle of the North American continent generally act to change the pattern in a cold and stormy direction (the storm on 7th March is a good example) while storms that track off the East Coast tend to move the pattern towards a warm and dry state (think of the Mother’s Day storm). This is why our weather patterns in the Winter are so volatile. As soon as it warms up and rains due to a storm moving across the Plains, the pattern shifts back cold and vice versa. Of course these are just generalisations and there are exceptions to every “rule” in terms of forecasting the atmosphere. The pattern we were in during February of 2015 was a stunning example of how a pattern can remain stuck in place even under constant assault from powerful storms moving up the East Coast.
Up Portland 06.17 On The Web At: www.upportland.com
By the looks of things, it appears as though we’re heading for a rainier period to close out May (I’m writing this on the 21st) before a warmer and sunnier pattern takes over for June. Think of the pattern after applying your 58th layer of sunscreen in the coming weeks! — Jack
Jack’s Weather Terms — The Pattern: I figured it would be helpful to include a quick explanation of what I mean by “the pattern”. Events in the natural world, including the weather, occur in patterns. There are tidal cycles, volcanic cycles, climatic cycles and the list goes on. Weather cycles too, on many different time scales. Each day, the temperature cycles up and down with the sun and in many places, the weather follows this diurnal cycle. All across the world, but especially in the tropics, massive storms develop every afternoon before dying off every morning when energy from the sun radiates out into space. In the mid latitudes, you also have your weekly weather cycles. Warm for a day or two, rain, then cool for a day or two and repeat. When meteorologists refer to “the pattern”, they’re often talking about the next timescale up from the daily/weekly cycles. Usually every two to four weeks, there’s a change in the hemispheric scale pattern that will tip the balance in favour of one type of weather or another. For much of the second half of February and into the first week of March, those scales were tipped in favour of warm weather here in Maine. We still had some cold days, but overall the pattern was a warm one. Then the pattern changed, and for much of March, April and the first half of May, the scales were tipped in favour of cold weather. We still had a few nice days, but overall the pattern was cold and rainy. This pattern is much more complex than the diurnal patterns or the weekly ups and downs. Typhoons in the North Pacific, thunderstorms in the Midwest, blizzards in Alaska, heat waves in Siberia, flash floods in Italy, dust storms in Africa, and infinitely more factors all play a part in determining the pattern. It’s often said that a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil can cause enough of a ripple effect through the atmosphere that a tornado would wind through a Texan neighbourhood. While there’s little evidence to support that claim, it’s certainly one way to think about just how interconnected our atmosphere is. — Front: For all the talk about warm fronts and cold fronts, many folks don’t know what a front technically is. A front is defined as a boundary between two different air masses. A cold front occurs when a cold airmass displaces a warmer one whereas a warm front occurs when warm air displaces colder air. Fronts are important because they are often focus points for precipitation and can result in large temperature swings.
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The Standard Reviewer
By Bill Elliott / Up Portland’s Film & Theatre Reviewer
Memorial Weekend finds us stuck in that movie-going limbo that is not quite blockbuster season but not exactly the Winter / early Spring doldrums. I live in a smallish college town, which used to have five cinemas within a ten block downtown area. Now we have two large multiplex cinemas on the outskirts of town, one with 12 screens and the other with 11. As I look at the movie listings today, both cinemas are showing exactly the same films (including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Baywatch, Alien: Covenant and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) on 10 screens. The smaller of the two facilities, which tends to show lower budget, and very occasionally, foreign films, is showing one different film. Otherwise, the choice is exactly the same. Just in two different locations. Ninety percent of the films showing this weekend are geared towards a very limited audience, demographically: namely young teens to 25-year-olds. So, what is a middle-aged guy to do if there is nothing at the local Cineplex that interests him? Stay home and watch a movie on TV! With the mass availability of television sets in the 1950s and ‘60s, TV threatened to end the dominance of movie theatres as the main provider of on-screen entertainment. Once again, it is our TV screens that are offering the greater choice of entertainment. Unlike the 1950s, when only three networks broadcast over the airwaves, these days there are literally hundreds of outlets for watching films and TV shows via cable and online networks. In addition, companies like Amazon and Netflix are funding movies and TV series of their own, using Hollywood A-List actors and large budgets. These films are often more interesting and more diverse than what is showing at the multiplexes
writing love (or rather, lust) letters to Dick that are part confession, part artistic manifesto. At the same time, her relationship with her older husband, Sylvère, takes on a new lease of life as the couple start to act out Chris’s sexual fantasies. After she posts her letters to Dick on storefront windows, Chris and Sylvère become the focus of the town’s attention, as well as Dick’s anger. Following a drunken meeting, Sylvère asks Dick to have sex with his wife in the belief that her sexual attraction to Dick will wane if it is consummated. Dick agrees but Chris is appalled that the two men barter her like a flea market item. I Love Dick cleverly subverts media depictions of women as objects of desire by turning Bacon’s Dick into an object of the female gaze. At the same time, it shows women as having unabashed sexual desires outside of marriage without the need to punish them for it (as in mainstream thrillers or horror films, for example). Amazon’s approach to making television series based on balloting viewers is a radical notion for both audiences and for production companies. For viewers, it means they get to watch the kinds of shows they really want to see. For production companies, it reduces the financial risk of greenlighting an entire series without a sense of how popular it might be. The BBC has a somewhat longer history of producing made-for-TV movies than most of the newer TV channels, and the May release of Charles III keeps the BBC at the forefront of media outlets that are making top-quality, non-theatrically released films. Charles III, based on an internationally-successful stage play, jumps a short distance into the future and imagines Britain’s Prince Charles ascending the throne after the death of his mother (the current Queen, Elizabeth II). Already in his 70s, Charles wants to have an impact on his country, and even though his role doesn’t carry with it any real power, he wishes to take a moral stance on the issue of freedom of the press. When he refuses to sign a bill that has been passed by his government, he initiates a constitutional crisis. While only a nominal figurehead, the British monarch must sign off on all government bills before they are enacted into law. Charles’s refusal thrusts the bill (and the government) into a political limbo. The only way forward is for Charles to sign or abdicate. He refuses to do either.
I Love Dick is a good example of Amazon’s original programming. It was one of a number of pilots that were shown on Amazon in August 2016. At the time, Amazon subscribers were asked to vote on their favourite pilots and, as a result, the most popular shows would be made into full-length series. I Love Dick features Kevin Bacon as the titular Dick, a conceptual artist who runs an arts community in the western Texas desert town of Marfa. Each year, the arts community invites scholars and artists from around the country to spend a year in residence, benefiting from each other and the cultural environment. Holocaust scholar Sylvère (Griffin Dunne), and his filmmaker wife, Chris (Kathryn Hahn), relocate to Marfa to get away from New York City, to recharge creatively, and to reconnect emotionally. Over dinner, Chris is drawn to Dick, a cowboy boot and hat-wearing loner. Even though he is dismissive of her work, and even as she prickles at his condescending views of women filmmakers, she is attracted to him: to his ruggedness as much as his mysteriousness and aloofness. After learning that her short film has been dropped by the Venice Film Festival because of a music copyright infringement, Chris begins a new creative project:
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When the British Prime Minister goes behind Charles’ back, he finds an ally in Charles’s son, William. Charles reluctantly steps down after being on the throne only a very short time. The film presents him as a sad, lonely, but ultimately sympathetic figure, whereas William, and particularly his scheming, Lady-Macbeth-like wife, Kate, are portrayed in a very unflattering light.
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Charles III is, of course, fiction. But it is as gripping on film as I am sure it is on stage. And, to underline the Shakespearian nature of modern day courtly intrigue, the dialogue is almost entirely in Iambic pentameter, no small feat when translating modern idiom and political speech as much of the film does. HBO, Showtime, Starz, BBC, Hulu, Acorn and dozens of other subscription TV channels provide custom packages these days, as well as à la carte service, allowing users to pay for movies or films without having to purchase a complete cable bundle. If you don’t like sports, you don’t have to pay for channels you never watch. If all you want is sports, then you can just buy sports channels. I pay a yearly subscription for Amazon Instant Video (via Amazon Prime, which also provides free delivery on Amazon online purchases). For $99 a year, I have access to thousands of free films and TV series, plus recently released films and TV shows, on a pay-per-view basis. For around $8 a month, Netflix adds to the pool of films and television shows. If I feel like watching a 1960s TV series, like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, or Bewitched, or The Time Tunnel, I can buy by the episode or purchase a full season. Likewise, if I want to see Hitchcock’s Psycho, or Annie Hall, or a Truffaut or Fellini film, I can buy or rent it (or get it for free). This is totally customized TV and movie viewing.
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Why drive all the way to a multiplex theatre in the rain or the snow, have to wait in line while families with small children decide what they want to see, and then have to wait in line again to buy a drink or a snack, when you can order a film online from a variety of network providers and watch what you are in the mood to see? The overlapping of TV and computer technology has ignited a new revolution in the way we watch films and television. It remains to be seen what will be the long-term effect on movie-going as a cultural pastime.
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Eric’s Optimal Corner Jon Edwards a/ Optimal Self Community Health and Wellness Center
Functional Fitness: What It Is and Why You Need It What images jump into your head when you hear the word, "functional?" I tend to think of a machine with all it's parts working in perfect synchronisation. I also think of team sports, such as football or basketball, where there are many individuals working together to achieve a certain goal or, to word it another way, to achieve a certain, "function." Our bodies are not so different than a machine or sports team; albeit a very advanced and amazing machine. Instead of engines, gears and oil, our bodies are made up of flesh, bones, mind and muscles. All the members of our bodies work together to achieve different goals — whether the goal be a simple task, like walking across a room or a more advanced task, such as building a house. It is amazing just how the parts of our bodies work together even more efficiently than the best sports team in the world. I think if I were to ask what images the word, "fitness" bring to your mind, you may picture an Olympian or marathon runner. These are great examples of physical fitness at a high level; a level that most people don't need to achieve, no matter how impressive. Fitness, at it's most basic level, means: "The quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task." (Google definition). For most people, the task is not an advanced sports endeavour, rather, it is something more basic; such as standing up from a chair or picking up a bag of groceries. By now, you have probably guessed where I'm going with this. "Functional Fitness", aside from being a cool catch phrase, is really the foundation of all movement and could be defined as being fit to preform everyday tasks or movements common to our bodies in everyday life.
Now, I don't want to present an overly simplistic view of functional fitness. There is much more to being, "functionally fit" than being able to squat and deadlift. Equally important aspects of physical fitness, beside the strength and mobility to accomplish everyday tasks, are cardiovascular health and balance, or coordination. Balance is something we take for granted. We learn to walk at a young age and most of us can't remember a time when we couldn't do it. It's as if we are on autopilot when we walk down the sidewalk or cross the living room to get the remote. We aren't conscious of our brain sending the signals to our muscles, allowing us to balance and move. In reality, a simple act such as walking, is a highly complex and coordinated effort between our brain and stabilizer / primemover muscle groups. Balance is something we need in everyday life. Finally, we move on to cardiovascular fitness. What good is being able to squat 300 pounds if you can't outrun the bear that is chasing you through the woods? Yes, cardiovascular health is of utmost importance. Not just so that you are prepared to outrun bears (and we do have them in Maine), but also so that your heart remains healthy while your body is at rest. A heart that is capable of outrunning a bear is also a heart that can efficiently pump blood throughout the body during normal, everyday tasks. The reality is, humanity as a whole used to be much more physically active in everyday life. Before the industrialisation of society and the rise of machinery and technology, manual labour was part of normal daily living. People grew and harvested their own crops, requiring much "squatting", "deadlifting" and "overhead pressing." Cars weren't invented yet, so walking was the primary mode of transportation. Even riding a horse requires one to be able to pull his or her own body weight into the saddle and balance during the ride. Today, we have cars and desks. We go to the supermarket instead of harvesting food from the ground. Modern convenience is amazing, but still the fact remains: when we don't move enough, our body deteriorates and the aging process accelerates. Humans were meant to be active. It is part of our design. In summary, a functionally fit body is a happy body... one which is able to handle whatever life may throw at it. Strive to stay active everyday. Go for a hike or just take your dog for a walk. Then afterward, come see me at Optimal Self for some squats and deadlifts. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am Jon Edwards a NASM Certified Personal Trainer at Optimal Self. My focus is on bodybuilding and strength training. I also like to incorporate a variety of functional movements and cardio-respiratory training into my programmes, to help clients achieve sustainable results. To learn more, please drop in at Optimal Health on Congress Street or contact me at Jwards04@gmail. com
The two examples I just gave (standing from a chair and picking up a bag of groceries), have common names of exercises we all know from the gym. Standing from a chair is what we trainers would call a Squat. And grabbing next week’s food from the trunk of your car is a Deadlift. "But, why would I need to put 300 pounds on my back and squat?", you may be thinking. Commonly, when I have conversations with people about squatting, I am asked a similar question. My response is something along the lines of, "perhaps you don't need to squat 300 pounds, but just think about how much easier it would be to stand up from a chair if you could!"
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Don't get me wrong. Not everyone should be squatting high levels of weight, but as a general rule, our bodies adapt to the demands placed upon them. So, if we train our bodies to be able to handle a higher amount of weight than we may ever encounter in everyday life, we will be that much more efficient at preforming the less demanding tasks we all do face.
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