MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
M u n joy Hil l
OBSERVER
Profit Org1 MarchNon 2013 US Postage
PAID
Portland, ME Permit No. 824
FREE Published by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization Vol. 33, No. 1 • March 2013
Where were you during the STORM? The Great Blizzard of 2013 dropped the most snow on record in Portland for the month of February—officially 31.9 inches, and city residents took it in stride. Many took to the slopes of the Eastern Promenade. Everyone else was digging out. No one has seen anything like this around here in years, if ever. Meanwhile, the City brought out the big guns to clear the streets, including a huge “diesel snowblower large enough to devour a small Volkswagen,” as described by Matt Byrne writing for the Portland Press Herald. By Monday, February 11, even the huge berm of snow in the center of Commercial St. had been scooped up and hauled away by a parade of dump trucks. The kids only missed one day of school: Friday, February 8th.
Survey on page 13 Tell us what you think!
Upper left, on Munjoy Hill, neighbors carry sleds through the snowy streets at the top of Congress and Vesper Streets, heading toward the Eastern Promenade. Above, drifted snow piles up at the corner of Fore Street and Atlantic. At left, Elizabeth Fraser shovels snow at the Fraser Art Studio on Congress Street at the top of Munjoy Hill, while her puppy, Calvin watches from the safety of the indoors.
Instagram photo courtesy Elizabeth Fraser
International Earth Day March 20, 2013
Happy St Paddy’s Day! March 17
Working Portland’s Waterfront By Michael C. Connolly, Professor of History, Saint Joseph’s College Much has been written and discussed over the past many years about preserving Portland’s working waterfront, but less has appeared on those who actually did, and are still doing, the work on this waterfront. As we approach Saint Patrick’s Day, many thoughts turn toward Ireland and the many Irish immigrants to Portland who helped to shape, and are still shaping, this multicultural city of ours. I would like to spend a little time here discussing the Irish longshoremen who, for well over a century, have helped to transport goods and materials to and from the wharves of Portland. Historically, the vast majority of these dockworkers were of Irish extraction, many of them coming from the Irish-speaking regions of County Galway in the far west of Ireland, a region which, like Portland, faces directly onto the rugged North Atlantic.
already Irish living in Maine before that time, but this famine and other subsequent scares sent many more thousands in search of a more secure place in which to raise their families and pursue their dreams. Saint Dominic’s Church in the West End was started by one Father Charles French of Galway who was a Dominican, and thus gave this name to Portland’s first Catholic Church. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception served the East End Catholics of Munjoy Hill and its environs. All of the Bishops of the Diocese of Portland since its very inception in 1855 have been identifiably Irish. This notably included the second Bishop, James Augustine Healy, who served from 1875-1900, and whose father was Irish while his mother was a Georgia slave. This made our Bishop Healy the first black Catholic Bishop in America. The amazing story of the Healy Family is told ably in James O’Toole’s, Passing for White.
The Irish came to Portland in large numbers in Many of the younger Irish female immigrants, a the aftermath of the devastating Potato Famine large number of whom were unmarried, served as (the Great Hunger) of the late 1840s. There were See page 9, Working Portland’s Waterfront
The Grace and Persistence of the Abyssinian Meeting House By Sam Cohen During the Great Depression, former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia dubbed the two lions flanking the entrance to the Public Library at Fifth Ave. and 42nd St. ‘Patience’ and ‘Fortitude’. Supposedly those were the qualities LaGuardia felt the city needed to make it through the economic hardship of the time. 300 miles away and decades later, the men and women behind the restoration of the Abyssinian Meeting House (at 75 Newbury St, on Munjoy Hill) are exhibiting these same qualities with keen devotion. “If we don’t do it now, to show the commitments of people and what they have done, it will be lost. That’s our steering point,” said Leonard Cummings Sr., the chair of the executive committee behind the Abyssinian Restoration Project. “Maine has more black history to talk about. We intend to tell the story of the African American history that has come through the city of Portland and the state of Maine.” This storied history is embodied in the origin of the Meeting House itself. Construction began on Newbury Street in 1828 when free AfriSee page 9, Abyssinian Meeting House
At left, one of the bronze markers for the Freedom Trail, located on India Street near the Newbury St intersection.
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March 2013
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
At the Helm The Munjoy Hill Observer is published
by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization (MHNO) at 92 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101 info@munjoyhill.org 207-775-3050 Editor: Lisa Peñalver
observer@munjoyhill.org (207) 272-5962 munjoyhill.org Observer Committee Andrea Myhaver, Tamera Edison, Lisa Peñalver advertising Tamera Edison tamera.edison@munjoyhill.org 939-7998, Lisa Peñalver, Layout & Design 239-1604 3,000 Circulation 8,000+ Readership About our paper The Munjoy Hill Observer is published by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization (MHNO) as a service to its members and to the community as a whole, to inform Portland’s East End residents of local issues and events, and of the services that can be found here. The Observer serves as a vehicle to connect and inform our neighbors, while enlisting community partners to help us help those who need it most. The Munjoy Hill Observer was first published in May of 1979. Circulation is 3000, distributed free in Portland at over 100 locations. Nearly 300 copies are mailed to current and former members of the MHNO.
MHNO Board 2012-2013 Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization
Andrea Myhaver, President.......................... . ......... andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org Ross Fields, Vice President............................ . ...................ross.fields@munjoyhill.org Elaine Mullin, Treasurer............................... elaine.mullin@munjoyhill.org..671-6132 Sam Cohen, Secretary.................................. . .................. sam.cohen@munjoyhill.org Eben Albert-Knopp....................................... . ................... ealbertknopp@yahoo.com Ralph Carmona............................................ rccarmona@hotmail.com.........518-9177 Nova Ewers........ nova.ewers@munjoyhill.org Thomas Kelley............................................. . .............thomas.kelley@munjoyhill.org Joan Sheedy.....joan.sheedy@munjoyhill.org . ............................................. 774-7616 Ann Quinlan..... ann.quinlan@munjoyhill.org
MHNO President, Andrea Myhaver
Last night, Wednesday, February 20, the MHNO held our quarterly meeting at East End Community School. Given that we go to print later today, I didn’t anticipate having time to reflect on the meeting in this issue. However, our wonderful and ever patient editor, Lisa Peñalver, graciously accommodated my last-minute desire to include my thoughts about the meeting. We had two presentations at the meeting last night on topics that I think are of great interest to Munjoy Hill. The first presentation, from Troy Moon, Environmental Programs and Open Space Manager for the City of Portland, was about Community Gardening and Farming. Troy spoke a bit about Mayor Michael Brennan’s initiative for healthy sustainable food systems in Portland. (www.portlandmaine. gov/healthysustainablefood.htm) He then explained that expanding community gardening is among several facets of the initiative. The City currently has about 100 people on its waiting list for community garden plots, and many of those people re-
side on Munjoy Hill. The City would like to see another community garden developed on Munjoy Hill, and are looking for suggestions and input on where that could take place. The MHNO thinks this is a great opportunity for the neighborhood, and we will be following it closely and providing feedback as plans progress. Our second presentation was from Barbara Barhydt , Acting Director of the Portland Planning Board. Barbara was on hand to explain the approval process for the proposed Saint Lawrence Arts Center expansion. The MHNO has received input about the proposal from our members ranging from great enthusiasm to great concern. We support a process that considers the desires and concerns of all neighborhood residents, and we feel that it is very important for our members, and other interested parties in the neighborhood, to understand what the steps are in the approval process, and what opportunities there will be for public comment and feedback. We will provide complete details about Barbara’s
very informative presentation in the April Observer. I would like to note that the tone of the meeting was respectful and calm, and it fostered the the type of dialogue that the MHNO would like to see continue as the process unfolds. We would like your input on the topics that were presented at our quarterly meeting, as well as on possible upcoming events that the MHNO would like to host. Please take a few moments to complete our survey on page 13, and do not hesitate to write me personally at: andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org.
From the Editor, Lisa Peñalver
Of Lions and Lambs The recent severe weather offers a valuable reminder that: we are not the most powerful things on this planet—the weather is! This may seem obvious, but you’d never know it from watching the news and the actions of those higher up in the food-chain. Be that as it may, I find the grandeur of the weather helps me put my life’s little troubles into some sort of perspective. The month of March tends to have a better than average potential for showing us our place. Just at the time we are all good and ready for winter to be over, here it comes again! It’s out of our hands.... But there ARE areas of our lives over which we DO some modicum of control. As I write this column, I have in mind the February MHNO quarterly meeting, which I attended last night (2/20/13) at the East End Community School. The two topics that filled the evening were a presentation by Troy Moon, Environmental Program and Open Space Manager, on the tremendous popularity of community gardens in Portland and interest in urban agriculture. This was followed by a presentation by Barbara Barhydt, acting director of the City’s Planning Division, who had been asked by the MHNO to go over the approval process facing the St. Lawrence Arts Center proposed expansion.
Both were interesting presentations, and I was heartened to see we had over 40 people in attendance; a pretty good showing for a chilly mid-winter evening. Turns out, the City is looking to create at least one more garden-space in 2013, preferably on Munjoy Hill, where 50-60 plots/ raised beds could be built (each plot is 10’ x 12’). It could be City land or it could be private, with the appropriate permissions. According to Troy, there are over 100 people on the waiting list for community garden space and, most of these people are Munjoy Hill residents! Hill folk take their organic veggies seriously! (For more on the community gardens in the area, see page 15.) The presentation by Barbara Barhydt prompted a number of questions from the audience, including members of a newly formed group called “Concerned Citizens of Munjoy Hill,” which is a separate entity from the MHNO. The discussion was respectful, and we learned that some of the CCMH concerns, specifically about the market need for a larger arts venue, and any study on its long-term sustainability, are outside the scope of what the planning board considers in its approval process.
Friends of the St. Lawrence Board spoke and assured the group that they wanted to be responsive to community input and that this would be an “open and transparent process.” Stay tuned for more developments. If these are topics that engage you, or if you have other burning community issues you think need attention, one valuable way to focus your energy is to JOIN the neighborhood organization. Simply fill out the membership form on page 5. The MHNO has access to resources, and is a group of knowledgeable and enthusiastic people with whom to share your ideas and make things happen. It’s a small item to add to your new years’ resolutions, it will take only a moment, but it will have lasting effects. Just do it!
There will be several more meetings of the planning board, with ample opportunity for public participation and comment (email, written, or in person). One member of the
MHNO Mission in January 1979, our purpose is to a
broad-based,
representative
WHO YOU GONNA CALL? You can help prevent crime on the Hill!
organization committed to improving the
If you see a crime happening or see/hear anything suspicious in your neighborhood, please call the police!
quality of life for the residents of Munjoy Hill and the East End, by strengthening the sense of community, maintaining the current diversity of social and economic
756-8135 Daytimes: Janine Kaserman with Community Policing 2) 650-9005 cell: 11 am thru the night, 1)
Senior Lead Officer Tony Ampezzan (at right)
groups, encouraging self-sufficiency, and enriching the lives of all residents.
—Maya Angelou
Send Your Letters and Hill news to observer@MunjoyHill.org
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization be
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
3)
874-8575/-8574:
Dispatch/non-emergency events
4) Emergencies: 9-1-1 Anonymous Crimes tips Program: Phone Tip—Dial 874-8584 | Online: tipsubmit.com Text-A-Tip: Text “GOTCHA” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES) Clip and save these numbers!
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
What do you think? By Ross Fields, VP & MHNO Membership Committee Chair In any community, there are always issues that create differences of opinion. If we all thought the same way, life would be pretty boring. Differing opinion is actually what stimulates new ideas that lead to progress and change. During the past several months, the residents of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood have been sorting out their varied opinions around the plans for the construction of the new St. Lawrence Arts Center. Those taking part in the evolving discussion of this project are very passionate about their opinions and their community. Even though it may seem uncomfortable at
Keeping Maine Roads Safer, One Driver at a Time For many of us, the day we became drivers was a landmark occasion. We gained a new level of independence, possibility, and the opportunity to go places! In the summer months, Maine is one of those “go to places” as a sought-after vacation spot. The result? Many more summer residents and tourists are driving on Maine roads. With this in mind, taking a driver safety course is a great way for each of us to do our part to keep Maine roads accidentfree year-round. Before you say ‘I don’t need to take a class in driver safety’ consider this: In Maine, thanks in great part to AARP, state law mandates that graduates of the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) who are 55+ receive a small discount on their auto insurance. Since the class only takes a few hours, that discount is quite a bonus! The DSP reviews basic skills and rules that can keep even the most experienced drivers safe on the road. Since 1979, more than 10 million people have completed the course. Although geared to drivers age 50 and older, you do not need to be an AARP member to enroll, there are no tests to pass and the course is actually open to people of all ages. In fact, I took the online course this winter. The DSP focuses on accident prevention measures, how to deal with
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times, I know that an outcome, satisfactory to all, will be reached. Some final resolution will be determined, and how it is shaped may depend upon you. I realize that we all live busy lives and I am not saying to go out and lead a movement. But, if you have the slightest inkling of concern, please let your voice be heard now. I encourage you to share your views with the MHNO board. Board members’ email addresses are in this publication, or you are welcome to attend any MHNO board meeting. If you are not currently a member of MHNO, I encourage you to fill out the membership form on page 5 of this paper and mail it in with your membership fee. Thank you!
At Home on Munjoy Hill By Lori K. Parham, AARP Maine State Director, Munjoy Hill
March 2013
aggressive drivers, and new rules and technology that affect driving. To find a class near you, go to or call 1-888-2277669 or visit www.DriverSafetyME.weebly.com. Trying to talk to a loved one about giving up their keys? This is not an easy conversation to have. Consider viewing the webinar We Need to Talk (WNTT). WNTT is an excellent online toolkit that can help adult children and their parents or grandparents have a constructive conversation about safe driving issues. The WNTT webinar is available at www.aarp.org/weneedtotalk. If you or someone you love is already looking for a driving alternative, consider ITN Portland. ITN stands for Independent Transportation Network. ITN Portland provides transportation to seniors and people with visual impairments for a reasonable fee, operating within a 15 mile radius of Portland. ITN is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The program is available for any type of ride within the service area, with no limitations on ride purpose and rides are provided in private automobiles by trained volunteer drivers. For more information or to become a volunteer driver, call (207) 854-0505. Working together, we can keep Maine roads safe for everyone.
Elder Care Resources —Clip-n-Save—
Portland Area Coalition for Elder Services (PACES) http://pacesseniors.com PACES members serve the senior community in greater Portland by providing high quality goods and services. Our monthly meetings focus on sharing best practices, improving business relationships and educating our members about community services available to older adults. CONTACT: Lynne Maxfield-Cole PACES Membership Chairperson 53 Waterford Rd. Harrison, ME 04040 lmaxroad@yahoo.com 207-754-0730 Phoebe Chandler PACES President phoebe@allenselig.com 207 712-6500
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) http://smaaa.org The Southern Maine Agency on Aging offers a wide range of programs and services for older adults living in York and Cumberland counties. These programs and services are designed to foster independence, reduce the burden on family and caregivers, and promote an active and healthy lifestyle throughout the aging process. Southern Maine Agency on Aging 136 U.S. Route One Scarborough, ME 04074 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 207-396-6500 --and--1-800427-7411 Fax 207-883-8249 Call 711 if you are deaf or hard of hearing and need relay service. info@smaaa.org Monday - Friday
Ask the Money Prof Retirement and 55+ Communities By Joel I. Gold You’ve worked all your life, and now it’s your time! Your vision is to relax, enjoy and be free from stress. Over the years you have heard about retirement communities where at least one of the spouses must be 55 years or older. A place where there are no kids, no noise, retirees just like you that want to meet other people and take advantage of all the amenities that the community has to offer (clubhouses with swimming pools, card rooms, billiard tables, numerous clubs to join, special events, shows, movies and so on.) Is it as good as it all sounds? Of course, the answer depends on one’s attitude and selecting the right community. To begin with, the number 55 is somewhat
of a misnomer. The majority of the public does not retire at age 55. Most people today retire in their 60s (full Social Security coverage occurs at age 66). There are exceptions, especially in the newer higherpriced 55+ communities, where higher income earners may have retired at an earlier age. The two major costs of living in these communities (let’s assume most people moving into these communities pay cash with no mortgage payments) are property taxes and homeowners association fees (HOAs). The higher-priced homes will carry higher taxes, and communities with more amenities will carry higher HOA fees (for example, big clubhouses and golf courses.) Another consideration is the type of unit that is purchased.
Some opt for condominium units (where roofs are covered and insurance may be lower), while others purchase stand-alone houses where these costs will be borne directly by the homeowner. Suffice it to say, make sure you can afford what you are buying. Most 55+ residents will tell you, it’s not so much about the dwelling, but the relationships you make that will determine your level of satisfaction. I believe this is true. The larger the community, the better the chance you have of meeting people. One common observation made by the “younger” group that move in to these communities is that there are many “older” people. If you purchase into a development that was built, for example, in 1996 (17 years old), then a large percentage of
people will be approaching their mid 80s. There tends be a turnover as these older folk leave the community (voluntary or involuntary) and are replaced with “younger” residents. This all depends on supply and demand for housing in the area. Certain communities attract new residents more easily than others. Retirement communities can be wonderful places if you are looking for that type of living. It’s like summer camp all over again. College professor and financial adviser Joel I. Gold is the owner of the Gold Company, located off of India Street, 145 Newbury Street, 3rd flr, (207) 650-7884, where he works as a Fee-Only Financial Planner. He’s been in Portland since 1995.
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BULLETIN Board the munjoy Hill neighborhood Organization
March 2013
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Meet the 2012-2013 Board of the MHNO!
Ann Quinlan At Home On munjoy Hill Senior-care consultant Ann Quinlan has worked as a broad-based healthcare professional for the past twenty years. She has offered her heart-centered, knowledgeable and compassionate solutions and crises intervention to over one thousand families and individuals. Ann currently works as a senior care manager with Beach Glass Transitions. As the choices in finding quality memory/elder care become more challenging and confusing, Ann’s education and experience in working with dementia and Alzheimer’s is in great demand. She believes that every life, regardless of age or circumstances holds a sacred potential to heal and grow. She considers music, poetry, and story to be included in the healing arts. A native of Ireland, Ann designs and leads small group land journeys to her homeland. She works and resides in Portland, Maine, where she enjoys many good friends, and the company of her grown children and their children, whenever possible. Ann is honored to serve on the board of directors of The Maine Irish Heritage Center and The Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization.
Andrea Myhaver President
Ross Fields Vice President
Ralph Carmona
Just visit us online at munjoyhill. org and click on our Facebook link. Follow our updates, join the conversation, post photos and share links, all on our FB page.
Thomas Kelley
Joan Sheedy
Andrea Myhaver
Sam Cohen
(President, MHNO) Andrea was born and raised on the Eastern Prom of Munjoy Hill. After she graduated from high school, Andrea’s travels and jobs took her across the country. In 2002 she decided to return to Maine and her roots on Munjoy Hill to raise her young son, Reid. She and her son have been residents of North Street ever since. Andrea joined the MHNO board of Directors in 2010, where she quickly jumped in to serve as Secretary.
(Secretary, MHNO) Sam became a Board member half a year ago; he has lived on Munjoy Hill for two years. Sam likes the community-feel of Munjoy Hill, ”making the city feel like it’s tiny,”and he enjoys knowing the people that live around him. Few people likely know that Sam is an owner of three bikes. A favorite quotation, from the Talmud: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
In 2011 Andrea was elected to her first term as President, and was re-elected to serve another term at the June 2012 annual meeting. Andrea says that most people know that she comes from a large family (7 brothers and 3 sisters) but may not know about her family’s musical talents, or that she herself is a singer. The “Von Myhaver Family Singers and Dancers” perform mostly at family events, but you never know when they might come to a venue near you!
Ross Fields (Vice President, MHNO) Ross and his wife, Kathleen, have lived on Munjoy Hill since July 2011; Ross became a MHNO Board member in December 2011. Ross likes the vibrancy of the Rosemont Market and the local restaurants on the Hill. He also enjoys living only a couple blocks away from the ocean. Few people may know that when Ross lived in Vermont—before he moved to Portland—he sang tenor in a barbershop quartet.
Elaine Mullin
Sign up for our email list at munjoyhill. org to receive alerts on events and issues pertaining to the East End (fyi: we do not share our list.). Get the first glimpse of the each month's Observer. "Like" the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization on Facebook!
Sam Cohen Secretary
Eben Albert-Knopp
Nova Ewers
Get to know us!
A favorite quotation of Ross’—”When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” (Author Unknown)
“LIKE” us & stay INFORMED!
Elaine Mullin Treasurer
(Treasurer, MHNO) Elaine has lived on Munjoy Hill for four and a half years and has been a Board member for three years. She loves the constant activity on the Hill and the fact that you don’t have to go far to find things going on. Few people would know that Elaine has participated in the Trek Across Maine bicycle tour—three times! A favorite quotation: “Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” (Author Unknown)
Thomas Kelley Tom became a Board member in March 2012; he has lived on Munjoy Hill for one year. He likes living among the eclectic group of Munjoy Hill residents who all share the common traits of being friendly, amazing people. Few would know that Tom is an avid traveler; he has already visited a third of the world’s countries! A favorite quotation, “It was the tension between these two poles — a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other — that kept me going.” (Hunter S. Thompson)
Eben Albert-Knopp Eben has lived on Munjoy Hill for three years; he became a Board member early in 2012. He enjoys the great Munjoy community, Rosemart Market, and living within walking and biking distance from the Eastern Promenade and downtown Portland. Eben is an alumnus of the College of the Atlantic, which is located in Bar Harbor, ME.
Ralph joined the MHNO Board in February 2011. What he likes best about Munjoy Hill are his morning walks with Vana throughout Eastern Promenade. Most people do not know that Ralph has a doctorate, is Regent Emeritus at the University of California and Executive Director of the Maine Global Institute. A favorite quotation: “Think where one’s greatest glory most begins and ends, then say: My greatest glory is that I had such friends.” (William Butler Yeats)
Joan Sheedy Joan has been a Board member for 6+ years; she has lived on Munjoy Hill for eight years. Joan sees the Munjoy Hill community as one big family whose members are all willing to help each other and to work together in pursuit of common goals. In addition to participating in the MHNO, Joan is also involved in many other activities across Portland, such as City Hall affairs. A favorite quotation, ““I just try as hard as I can to make ‘community’ on the Hill and to draw people together.” (Joan)
Nova Ewers Nova has lived on Munjoy Hill for two years; she became a Board Member in March 2012. Nova loves how Munjoy Hill residents take pride in and love their neighborhood. “From sunrise over the Prom to sunset over Standpipe Park, it’s always a beautiful day on the Hill thanks to the beautiful people who live here.” Few people may know that Nova has sailed across each of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans twice. A favorite quotation, “It is not so much what is on the table that matters, as what is on the chairs” (W.S. Gilbert)
Ralph Carmona (Chair, MHNO Annual Appeal Campaign) Over two years ago, Ralph and Vana (an 11th generation Mainer) Carmona decided to make Munjoy Hill the next stage in their lives because of its quality of life and the potential to make a difference.
Open MEETINGS: The MHNO Board meets every 2nd Monday of the month, at 7 pm at the Hill House at 92 Congress St. — Please join us!
Tamera Edison Ad Sales Rep
Lisa Peñalver Observer Editor
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
March 2013
the munjoy Hill neighborhood Organization Concerned Citizens Get involved A new group has formed in the past few months, with the common interest in participating in the process which will determine the form, size and appearance of the expansion of the St. Lawrence Arts center. This group, which calls itself, “Concerned Citizens of Munjoy Hill,” is not affiliated with the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization, although a couple of the MHNO Board members are a part of it. The CCMH folks have specific concerns about the proposed expansion of the St Lawrence Arts Center which they have spelled out in a letter which was sent to Dierdre Nice in mid-February, In the letter, they posed questions about —the size and design of the addition in its preliminary published iteration; ---parking logistics. ---the need in the city for a 400-plus seat arts venue; ---interest in details about a revenue plan for the expanded arts center, Concerned Citizens of Munjoy Hill: The core members of this group include Tim Baehr, North Street Ralph Carmona, North Street Vana Carmona, North Street Ross Fields, Turner Street Stephen Gaal, Eastern Promenade Cliff Gallant, Morning Street Maia Greco, North Street Ann Landsberg, North Street Since many of the details for the expansion proposal remain to be worked out, it will take some time for the answers to all these questions to emerge. Meanwhile, people should keep checking the online City Calendar for meetings of the Planning Board, and write up comments and concerns. Friends of the St. Lawrence will also be hosting public meetings. To contact Concerned Citizens of Munjoy Hill, call 5189177. (Please leave a message with your contact info).
Open MEETINGS: The MHNO Board meets every second Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Hill House at 92 Congress St. — all are welcome!
India Street neighborhood has been selected as a Pilot Community for a study by Sustain Southern Maine group
MHNO Expanding Observer Ad Sales Force! Are you outgoing? Detail oriented? Are you able to navigate comfortably in Word, Excel, and most email programs? Do you have a talent for “closing the deal”? Do you live on Munjoy Hill or have a connection to Munjoy Hill? Are you looking for a part-time job that allows you to make your own hours and earn income based on the effort you put in? The MHNO is expanding our ad sales staff for the Munjoy Hill Observer. If you answered yes to all of the questions above, we would love to hear from you! Please email your resume and a letter of interest to our President at: andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org.
The India Street Neighborhood is a historically rich area of the Portland peninsula that has a surprising amount of space for development or redevelopment considering its proximity to downtown. Sustain Southern Maine will be helping the City, the India Street Neighborhood organization and other interested parties develop a vision for the area that will embrace housing and job growth while respecting the area’s history, scale, and its current vibe. The results will be available to the City and Neighborhood as a foundation for a future Neighborhood plan. Sustain Southern Maine will be meeting with property owners, municipal staff and technical experts in the coming months to develop ideas for this site. An open house to gather input from the public will be held March 16th (snow date March 23) at the Maine Jewish Museum on Congress St. from 12:30 to 5:30pm. A public meeting will be held April 30th. Locations for this meeting will be posted as soon as it is determined. FMI: see http://sustainsouthernmaine.org
Join the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization New Membership
Recycle and support the MHNO Heating Assistance Program Donate your recyclables thru our CLYNK! bags at Hannafords ! Funds raised support MHNO’s Fuel Assistance “Warm Hearts, Warm Neighbors” program. Stop by the Hill House at 92 Congress and pick up a free green bag (in box on fence0, or call us if we need to put out more bags: call Louise Little at 780-0860. (Note: please don’t take our bags unless you’ll use them for returnables- we DO pay for them! Please bring us any unused green bags so that others may use them. Or drop off a contribution to the effort.)
Keep those cans & bottles coming!
Show your neighborhood pride! Munjoy HilL t-shirts are available: S-XL@$16, XXXL@$20, Tees come in black or white. Or get this bumper sticker! (measures 6”x 4”) $3 per sticker. Buy one and support your Neighborhood group. Send your check to MHNO,92 Congress St, Portland ME 04101. Email info@ munjoyhill.org.
Renewal
Name(s)_ ____________________________________________________________ Street Address________________________________________________________ City________________________________________State_______ Zip___________ Email (for MHNO updates)_____________________________________________ Day Phone (____)________________ Eve Phone (____)______________________
Membership Levels Individual: $10 Family: $20 Business: $35 Additional Donation $25 $50 $75 $100 $250 $500 Other Amount: ($______) wish my gift to be anonymous
Volunteer for a Committee! We need your help to make Munjoy Hill an even better place to live! Get involved by joining one or more of our committees:
Membership Events Services Safe and Walkable Neighborhood Observer
We want all members of our community to join the MHNO regardless of financial circumstances. If you are unable to pay the suggested minimum amount, please pay what you can. If you are able to contribute more, we encourage you to do so. We thank you for your support, and we’re excited to have you on board! Please send this form along with your check to:
MHNO, 92 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 Questions? Call (207) 775-3050, email info@munjoyhill.org or visit munjoyhill.org Welcome to the MHNO! 11/2012
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March 2013
On Hill
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Are you an Encourager or Discourager? Your words will tell
GrowingTogether T ips
Recognize any of these parental phrases? Be careful! • Be quiet! • Shame on you! • Be nice! • Be good! • Don’t get into trouble! • Not so fast! • Not so high! • Hurry up! • Don’t cry! • Don’t be a baby! • Be a big boy/girl! • Stop whining! • Here, let me do that! • You are not old enough yet. • Don’t–/Stop it! My two most frequently used phrases were, “Be careful!” and “Here, let me do that!”. This was before I learned, as a student in my first parenting class, that by using these words I was sending an underlying message of discouragement. It was an “Aha!” moment. In order to be a positive influence on my daughters’ lives, I knew I needed to make a change. Since that moment, I began being mindful of the message my words were sending. I also realized how important it was for me, as a parent, to expand my parenting knowledge. I wanted to learn some effective tools. Previously parenting by “default”, I had not deliberately thought much about my parenting skills – or my lack of them. When I said, “Be careful!”, it came from my desire to be a protecting parent. I did not want my girls to get hurt, break or spill anything, or damage my stuff. Any “good” parent would certainly want their child to “Be careful”, right? Okay, get ready, here it comes: when you say, “Be careful.” the underlying message is that the world is a scary place; don’t be too daring; make sure you hold back a bit. You might be asking right now, “What’s wrong with that?” I hear you. But, what else could you say? Why would you not want your child to watch out for danger, or not be the first one to try something new, or be the first one to raise his hand in class, if he wasn’t sure his answer was right? The encouraging alternative phrase is, “Take care of yourself.” Or, taking it a step further, “Take care of yourself, and
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By Ross Fields, CPE & Kathleen Fields, CPE take lots of risks today.” Well, I switched to saying, “Take care of yourself,” because I did not want my daughters to be afraid of life. I wanted them to be confident, powerful, and unafraid to step out there and try new things. I desired for them to experience all that they could, while at the same time knowing that they knew how to take care of themselves. They knew not to just run out into the street. They knew not to put their hands on a hot stove. They had all the basic information. And when they headed to New York City for school, each on their own, without mom and dad, I was comfortable knowing how prepared and capable they were in taking care of themselves. I completely understand if your skepticism meter is pegging. What about the kid who is bullied? What about all the drugs out there? What about a kid being overpowered? How does that kid take care of herself? How does saying, “Hey, take care of yourself today,” help significantly? It assists you and your child in seeing her as confident and powerful, rather than as a victim. Realize, this is just one item from the list of Encouraging Messages (see below) to consider doing differently in your parenting. You will not necessarily see results immediately, but I guarantee, over time it will make a difference. This is really no different than your child learning to walk, talk, feed himself, dress himself, tie her shoes, use the toilet, brush her teeth, do a cartwheel, ride a bike, catch a ball, read, write, add, subtract. The results of those things are easily recognized, and remember, they were all learned. So, in being mindful of the words you use, choosing phrases that send
an encouraging message, you are nurturing your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Your assignment: For a couple of days keep a mental tally of how often you say, “be careful”, or one of the other common statements. Next, switch to using the encouraging alternative as indicated in the list provided. Let me know how you are doing. This simple change will make a major difference in the life of your child.
Oh, my other favorite common statement was, “Here, let me do that.” Well, I still work on this one. Instead of being encouraging by saying, “I know you can do this. If you need any help, I am here”, I’d just jump in and do it my way, so I’d be sure that it was done right. When I was working in industry, supervising a work group, it helped me a great deal when I chose the encouraging phrase and allowed someone to make the job their own. I also made sure they got the training needed for them to be successful. After that I just had to make sure that I got out of their way. The result was that the place ran smoothly with, or without, me present. As with the people I supervised I also wanted my daughters to be able to function on their own. They do. So from me to you, as you head out the door every day this month to work or play, “Take care of yourself, have fun, and take risks.” You can do it, and so can your kid. For an Encouraging Messages List, go to www.resultsparenting.com. Click “Resources” tab…then click “Parenting Tips and Materials”…then click “Encouraging Messages List” Ross & Kathleen Fields are Certified Parenting Educators (CPE) and co-founders of Results Parenting, LLC, www. resultsparenting.com.
justinalfond.com
CapitAl City
Help for working Mainers will make a stronger State Statehouse Update | SEN. JusTin Alfond During the 2012 legislative campaign, Democratic candidates across the state, heard from hundreds of thousands of Mainers. The message was clear—focus on jobs and the economy, and that’s what we’re doing with our first major initiative, the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future. The committee has already held several meetings with employers, economists and educators all across the state to develop an objective understanding of where we are, a clear vision of where we want to be, and an actionable plan to get there. While much of the country has figured out a way to climb out of the recession, Maine’s economy is lagging behind. Maine is the only state in New England whose economy shrank. This is a longterm problem and it will require longterm solutions. We’re committed to addressing some of the deeper concerns with our economy, like the skills-gap, so we can put people back to work in the present, and prepare for the future. While the economy as a whole has been slowly recovering, the middle-class has been left behind. Too many Maine workers remain unemployed, underemployed or feel insecure about their current job situation. Over fifty-thousand Mainers remain
jobless while Maine ranks 45th in job creation. This is unacceptable and unsustainable. Maine people want a plan to create jobs and grow our economy. We have an opportunity to jump-start our economy today and create a long-term path toward an economic strength which will grow our middle class. The Joint Select Committee will focus exclusively on the economy and propose legislation that helps workers, business, and our communities succeed in today’s economy. Mainers want action, so the output of the committee will not be a report, but instead it will be specific legislation that invests in Maine people, places, and businesses to grow our economy both today and tomorrow. Too many Maine workers are unemployed or underemployed or lack the skills needed for better paying jobs or the jobs of the future. Between now and 2018, 4,000 jobs will remain unfilled because of the skills gap. Maine’s economy depends wholly on a skilled workforce; the committee will propose legislation to help Maine people get the skills that Maine businesses need to grow. See page 8, Alfond, Help for Workimg Mainers
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Facebook.com/DianeMRussell@MissWrite
Finding new approaches to balance competing demands Statehouse Update | Rep. Diane Russell With spring just around the corner, the legislative session is in full-swing. I’ve been selected to serve on the Energy, Utilities & Technology committee, where I can put my passion for addressing the heating crisis to work, while working to stem the climate change we are already beginning to see around us. I continue to serve on the Veterans & Legal Affairs Committee, where I’ve spent the last four years focusing on improving services for our veterans while protecting the right to vote for Maine people. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, as Gov. LePage continues to put forth legislation that serves the best interests of the Shiny Shoe Brigade (lobbyists) and not the people of Maine. While he cut significant resources from school budgets across the state, he is busy trying to set up Virtual Schools, on which the Press Herald has reported heavily, outlining the vested corporate interests and the ties between those interests and our Commissioner of Education. When LePage is not busy siphoning money from our public school system, he’s reducing access to health care, at a time when we could be expanding it dramatically. At the same time, he’s been busy working to undermine the major advancements Maine has made over the past four years to improve its Clean Energy Economy. On the bright side, not only do we have the majorities back in the House and Senate, but
our own Justin Alfond has been named Senate President. This isn’t just good for our community, it’s great for the state at large. Justin and I both come from rural Maine, but live and love “the big city” of Portland. It takes a balanced approach to public policy to ensure we can move our state forward toward a sustainable economy, and I am really looking forward to working with my favorite Senator to advance smart, effective policy to do just that. I also have an intern on the Hill working with me this session, David Jameson. He served in the fundraising department for the Marriage Campaign, and now raises funds for the Maine People’s Alliance in the evening. He’s planning to attend Goddard College and is looking forward to hitting the ground running, learning both policy and politics. Please be sure to thank him when you see him! Finally, you’ll see me flying through the Hill with some new (to me) wheels. I’ve never been as excited about a car as I am about my new 1991 Ford Mustang convertible, “Stella.” She’s got a few rough edges, but underneath the hood she’s a lion. Now, if only spring would get here, I could pop the top! Please let me know if you have questions, need assistance with something or want to weigh in on an issue. You can email me at dianerussell207@gmail.com, or call my cell at 272-9182.
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Alfond, Help for working MAIners
CapitAl City
continued from page 7
Ingenuity and hard work are built into Maine people, but they need the opportunity to get the skills they need to compete. We have to use this opportunity to transform our labor force to meet the job needs of the 21st century. As anyone that lives, works or plays in Portland knows, a thriving downtown is a huge boon to a community and a region. Our community centers like Main Streets and downtowns are natural hubs of economic activity. We know that these areas are essential to creating jobs and the committee will look at ways to support and revitalize downtowns so they can help grow our economy; We need to invest in people and businesses, but we also need to invest in places—it will multiply the effect of our investment. Our downtowns and Main Streets are our economic engine, and that is true from Portland to Presque Isle, and every community in between. We know Maine small businesses need a healthy, stable business climate in order to hire, invest and expand. The committee will explore specific ways to lower business costs and help employers compete in today’s economy. They will create an action plan for creating jobs, tailored to the needs of Maine’s diverse businesses— with an emphasis on strengthening our small businesses. Our small businesses have a proven track record of pulling us out of economic downturns, and we must put a strong focus on those businesses who want to grow and expand, but can’t find the trained workers they need.. Forbes recently ranked Maine 50th in the country for business. While this report doesn’t tell the whole story, it shows that the priorities and policies of the last two years have not connected all the dots to move our economy forward. We need real solutions that will directly address the issues we know will impact our economy. Democrats are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work with Governor LePage and legislative Republicans to get this done. The challenges we face are too big for one party to solve alone. We now have to work together if we want to get results. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this initiative and on anything else happening in the Legislature. You can reach me at Justin@JustinAlfond. com
Avesta/ Adams School Construction Update Provided to the MHNO by Seth Parker, Development Officer, Avesta Housing The wide, stitched-together images below, show a great time-lapse series of pictures that the Handleys (contractors) provided, that, I think, speak for themselves. We’ll work to update this again once the project is final, but one thing to really note from this perspective is how the view shed from Beckett to O’Brion is opened up with the removal of the old school building!
all photos here courtesy of AvestA Housing
Great Falls is past 50% construction completion at this point, and is working to get the last two buildings fully enclosed so that they can really start seeing results on the interior finishes. I’ve attached two more recent photos here as well showing that progress. On the sales front we have 7 of the 16 units locked up and we’re barely past 50% completion so based on the strong interest and response so far we expect sales to continue briskly and closings to start as soon as construction is complete. If you have questions about this project, please direct them to Seth Parker at SParker@avestahousing.org, and please copy the MHNO at info@munjoyhill.org.. [Editor’s note: By 2010, it was recognized that the deteriorating vacant school building posed a significant detriment to the neighborhood (below, top photo); community policing reported that the old structure was attracting illicit activity. Meanwhile residents in the area were still using and enjoying the basketball hoops and playground area. The loss of those recreational areas was felt when construction began in 2012, but there is an expectation that access to those spaces will eventually be restored to the public.}
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Abyssinian Meeting House, from front page can Americans in Portland longed for a cultural center and place of worship for their community. It was also used as a school and became a critical haven for those seeking refuge on the Underground Railroad. It is officially recognized as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. “It would be difficult today to build a church from scratch,” said Herb Adams, a Maine historian and former member of the Maine House of Representatives. “It was harder in the early 19th century, and harder still for a small Portland minority to do so. It’s one of the few buildings left from its entire era of early 19th century Portland. It is a true visible monument to the dedication and dreams of a people.” Locations like the First Parish Church on Congress St. and the Mariner’s Church on Fore Street in the Old Port are examples of buildings constructed around the same time as the Abyssinian. All three are on the National Register of Historic Places yet the story of the fierce survival of the Meeting House is unique. Its location atop a freshwater spring helped the building survive the numerous fires that devastated so much of Portland. In 1917 the Meeting House ceased operations as a parish and was converted into an apartment building. In 1998 the newly-minted Committee to Restore the Abyssinian purchased the building from the city. It had been sitting unused and vacant for years. Despite the challenges, the building remains largely intact and has already undergone early phases of the restoration plan. In 2009 the roof was freshly timbered with thoughtful integration. The new beams were built from the same wood to match the original pieces. Cummings says the goal is to have the first floor completed by the first of July. 2013. As soon as this happens, they can begin to initiate programming and turn the Meeting House into a living museum. “It will be a meeting house providing cultural events, arts and literature. A museum for people to not just look at but to use,” he said.
Working Portland’s Waterfront, from front page domestic workers in the homes of Portland’s wealthier families. The Irish males who arrived here had been told of work along our waterfront, digging canals such as the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, working the railroads, and doing construction or other difficult manual labor. By 1880 the dockworkers had formed a union, the Portland Longshoremen’s Benevolent Society (PLSBS), and over the next century thousands of families on Munjoy Hill and elsewhere in this city were sustained by the wages earned by their difficult labor. I have attempted to tell the history of this group in my 2010 book, Seated by the Sea: The Maritime History of Portland, Maine, and Its Irish Longshoremen. Because there were so many workers on the waterfront with common Irish last names, such as Folan, Joyce, Mulkern, Gorham, Connolly, or McDonough, the easiest way to keep these names straight was to create a separate set of nicknames for nearly all of the longshoremen. These nicknames were quite unique, and often quite comical. They would could pass on to the children or grandchildren of these laborers, often over several generations. By these nicknames they were known, and so if someone were to ask, “Which Connolly are you?” the appropriate answer would be to give the specific nickname. In my case it would be “The Lamb” as that was my grandfather’s nickname alongshore. Some of the other nicknames would include: The White Hope; The Average Man; Mickey from Lynn; Hock-a-mock; The Church Mouse; Dinish; Cockaneeney; The Bold American; The Iron Horse; and Billy Sunday. These Irish dock laborers were a colorful and boisterous group, to be sure, but they sustained large families and sent many of their children on to higher education on the strength of their backs. Perhaps the most striking example locally would be that of Governor Joseph E. Brennan who was born on Kellogg Street into an Irish longshore family. I have tried to capture some of the flavor of those predominantly Irish families and neighborhoods in a historical novel now nearing completion with the working title, The Road That Leads Back.
There have been multiple archeological digs inside the Meeting House. The restoration committee is currently waiting on an archaeological report of the most recent discoveries before they can move ahead with contracting out the first floor work, according to Cummings. Much of the funding for the project is already in place, but it requires a delicate balance between pragmatism and the desire to see the project completed quickly. “We want to make sure the work we do is total. That we won’t have to redo it and that everyone is in agreement about it. We are committed to museum quality restoration and we won’t do anything until we have the money to do it,” Cummings said.
There are plans to have an open house of the building sometime before June. Cummings wants to keep the public informed and to display the results of the work they have been doing. His personal goal for total completion of the restoration is sometime in 2016. He also says if anyone wants to learn more about the Abyssinian Meeting House, or to be shown the building, they can contact the board or committee members through abyme.org. Donations are, of course, always welcome. “It’s still standing and it’s still moving ahead,” Cummings said. “The process is slow, but we’re still actively involved and we’re still committed. African American history is constantly changing. We want to record our history and be accurate. We don’t want to lose our path.”
“I am overwhelmed by the grace and persistence of my people.” —Poet Maya Angelou At left, an etching of a marketplace in which AfricanAmericans mingle with white people in a peaceful setting. Source, National Archives and Records Administration, Mid Atlantic Region, Philadelphia PA, in a pamphlet named “Researching Slavery & Freedom”
Deering High School Students Present Original Play about Maine Labor Mural Friday & Saturday, March 1-2 Students at Deering High School in Portland will present an original, one-act play that tells the story of workers portrayed in a controversial mural about Maine’s labor history. Kathleen Harris, Deering’s drama teacher, wrote the play focusing on characters in Judy Taylor’s mural. Maine Governor Paul LePage ordered the mural’s removal from the Maine Department of Labor in 2011, sparking months of protests and a court battle that put Maine in the national spotlight. The courts ultimately ruled that LePage had the right to remove the mural. It now hangs at the Maine State Museum. Harris’ play, titled “Tribute,” does not mention LePage or the political controversy surrounding the mural. Rather, she used the mural as a way to tell the history of the labor movement in Maine. Harris said the play’s title honors generations of Maine workers and Taylor, the mural’s artist. Taylor gave her enthusiastic support to the project and she plans to see the play.
“Tribute” has 11 scenes, one for each panel of the mural, covering such topics as Rosie the Riveter, the first U.S. labor secretary, Frances Perkins, and the Jay paper mill strike. An apprentice and his mentor serve as the play’s narrators. Deering students will perform the play on March 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $5 and they may be purchased at the door. On the weekend of March 8, Deering students will present “Tribute” as part of a regional one-act competition at Thornton Academy. Harris has taught drama, English and public speaking at Deering for 28 years. She has a theatre degree from the University of Toronto, a master’s in theatre arts from Saint Louis University and she studied playwriting at Emerson College. This will be her first time having an original play produced. Contact:, Kathleen Harris, Teacher / Deering High School, harrik@portlandschools.org, (207) 874-8260
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MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
our Munjoy Hill
Lovey-2, at left, lives with Vi Geroux at Bayview Heights on North Street.
Above, little Calvin keeps an eye on everything that goes on at Fraser Art Studios, according to his owner Elizabeth Fraser (a.k.a. Girl Gone Raw).
Readers are invited to share photos of their pets in our paper. This month, we are featuring (clockwise from the top) the handsome cat, Lovey-2 (above), Calvin (at far upper right), the bird, Bleu (at right), , the dazzling Isabelle (below right) and Zephie (below with frisbee). We welcome your photos; please send to observer@ munjoyhill.org, with “Pet Pics” in the subject line.
“To err is human, to forgive, canine.” —anonymous
Bleu, at left, lives with Diane Davison on Morning Street. He is a 28-yearold Crowned Conure. His favorite things are peanuts, pistachios and pizza – especially the crust!
Directly above, Isabelle Piergrossi-Coyne is a 1-and-1/2-year-old golden-doodle puppy. In this picture, she was taking a break after running and playing on the Eastern Promenade.
Zephie (short for Zephyr), at left, LOVES to go for walks on the Eastern Prom, go swimming in the ocean, play ball, soccer and Frisbee. He even tries to play with squirrels but it doesn’t work—they quickly go up a tree. And he likes skijoring! He is a sweet, sweet dog and a great friend.— Gloria Aponte Clark
OPEN HOUSE at 54 York St. February 27: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Baxter Academy (BA) for Technology and Science is a NEW, project-based public charter high school located at 54 York Street in downtown Portland. Tuition is free for all students, from any town. Our first school year begins on September 3, 2013, with enrollment limited to students entering grades 9 & 10.
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ONLINE THROUGH MARCH 1, 2013. Parent-Student Info Sessions on February 14 & 25 at 4 pm-6 pm, USM Portland-Glickman Library.
Life Insurance Health & Dental Disability Retirement Long-Term Care
Christina L. Feller Licensed Insurance Agent
207-939-3800 cfeller@insphereis.com
Insphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. IIS000026
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Living With Peace
Living With Peace is a dynamic local grassroots community support organization investing in the future of our immigrants by providing information, resources, and training to newcomers to the community and culture.
Are Asylum-Seekers Legal Immigrants? By Christina Feller, president, Living With Peace Like many things immigrant-related, there is much misinformation and disinformation depending on your point of view. Everyone who reads this column knows an immigrant. We have an estimated 20,000 immigrants in Cumberland County for instance, with only a very small number being from Africa, yet when we see with our eyes, we may think they are the only ones. Most of these immigrants are from Canada and Europe. Why are we seeing so many Africans on the streets of Portland, South Portland and Westbrook? Are they legal or illegal? What makes the difference and do they receive different levels of “benefits” from the City or the State? Do they work? Can they work? How do they get here and why do they come to Portland? When the US Congress starts talking about immigration reform it is usually not about making the system easier or clearer or more streamlined for those who come legally; unfortunately, it revolves around answering the question of what to do with all of the people who entered the country illegally and can we find a pathway to citizenship for them? This framework leaves out all of the people who come here legally seeking asylum from persecution in their home countries, only to find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Living With Peace established an Immigration Process Intervention Project in order to assist an estimated 500-700 people who are struggling through the process. For a typical asylum-seeker, the journey to American citizenship looks like this: Step 1: Enter the United States of America by air with valid passport, valid visa to the US, and documents establishing status as “asylum-seeker” if available. When people flee for their lives, they often have absolutely not a second to spare and valuable documents are left behind. Upon arrival, the immigrant states to the immigration official that he or she is seeking asylum in the United States of America. These powerful words begin a long-term relationship with Homeland Security. So, the first essential difference between an asylumseeker and an illegal immigrant is their status with the US Government upon crossing our borders. Typically, their visa is for three to six months and must be issued by the US Embassy in their country of departure based on a formal letter of invitation from a reputable source in the US. Step 2: Arrive in Portland, Maine. Almost all Africans who come to Portland do so because they have family and/or close friends (maybe they went to university together or were tortured by the same group because of their peacemaking activities) already here. Another chief reason is because Portland, Westbrook, and South Portland have become very welcoming communities where churches and mosques reach out immediately to begin the healing process and the legal document preparation to submit their application to the US Government for permanent residency. These folks have every reason
to be open and assertive about their status and their needs for legal and medical help. Step 3: Find the resources they need to file their paperwork, find housing, engage in Workfare, get food stamps if possible and MaineCare (only for in-state emergency purposes if applicant qualifies). It is estimated that more than 90% of asylumseekers have been the victim of violence or witnessed extreme violence in the runup to their departure. They need mental health help immediately. They need lawyers, doctors; they need furniture and food; they need companionship and they need Americans to reach out and say, “We are happy you made it out of harm’s way. My name is __ and I live in this neighborhood.” Portland is blessed with such organizations as the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Learning Works, WIN (Welcoming Immigrants Network), Portland Adult Education, Living With Peace, Community Counseling Center, Center for Grieving Children, Portland Community Health Center, and many other groups who serve the needs of these folks. Step 4: Within one year file their paperwork for approval of their asylum case. The sooner they file, the sooner they receive a hearing date in Boston, and the sooner they receive their work papers. The goal is to shorten the time between arrival and decision on Permanent Residency. During this time, the applicant extends their visa in the US on the basis of the asylum-seeker status they entered with. They are still “legal.” The barrier is that it takes time to find a lawyer, prepare the case, support it with verifiable documentation, get on the Court Docket, go through the interview, and wait. Four out of every five applications are turned down by Homeland Security. If accepted, the applicant receives his or her Permanent Residency card which starts two other events in Motion: 1) in five years, they can apply to take the Citizenship Test; and 2) in one year, they can apply to have their families join them. Step 5: If their application for asylum is turned down, they are placed in the Appeals Process. It is stressful because technically it is the first step of the Deportation Process. The appeal could take years to adjudicate. During this time the application and members of their family here with them cannot work or go to college because they have no social security numbers. Each case needs to be reviewed, documents obtained, witnesses found, another date on the Court Docket, a different judge, a new attorney, etc. If the appeals are lost, the applicant is scheduled to leave the country. Whether they do or not determines their future legal/ illegal status. Portland has a high rate of acceptance through the appeals process because of the quality of their legal representation and the soundness of the cases. Step 6: For most of Greater Portland’s African asylum-seekers (not refugees) somewhere in this long process, now numbering about 2,500, life is lonely and not very productive. They are not allowed to work for money and they are required to work in payment for their apartments in a pro-
gram known as Workfare. They are required to attend Adult Ed English classes. Mayor Brennan has recently opened up the Workfare program to non-profits in the City who can take advantage of the high level skills and aptitudes of these immigrants while waiting for their status change. If you run a 501(c)(3) and you are a member of the Hour Exchange and might be interested in this opportunity, reach out to Aaron Geyer at the City. If you would like to volunteer as a Career Coach to one of these young men or women as part of the Living With Peace Task Force on Workforce Development, Career Advancement and Business Technology Instruction, we welcome you. Please
reach out to Task Force cochairs Lado Ladoka at lokenya2001@yahoo.com or James Deng at jamesdeng.kuang@maine.edu. Christina Feller is an international development specialist. Living With Peace is a seven-year-old Portland and Auburnbased NGO serving the integration needs of immigrants. The board of directors is comprised of immigrants from Algeria, Burundi, DRCongo, Rwanda, So Sudan, and Somalia.
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East End Business Focus
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3 Buoys Seafood Shanty & Grille—Keeping it Fresh! By Sally L. Wright After 15 years as a vice president of Legal Seafoods, 4th generation fisherman, Bill Holler, decided to open a couple of restaurants of his own. The East End of Portland is the latest location to land a 3 Buoys Seafood Shanty & Grille. (There is also one in York, ME) Named for Bill’s three sons, 3 Buoys is at once a throwback to the days of the perfect onion ring and fried clams, as well as a fresh take on quality seafood cooked any way the customer wants. “I’m basically a traditional New England clam shack owner. I buy direct from the boats in Portland. I know seafood, and my philosophy is: fresh seafood, fresh meat, fresh chicken, and good portions.” Perched on the corner of Washington and Cumberland Avenues, 3 Buoys makes a statement to passersby. Its fun under-the-sea theme is hard to miss. With several spots for parking on site, this little seafood shack seldom appears empty. Growing in popularity is the breakfast menu. Says business partner Nikole Holler, “Word is just getting out about our breakfast all day. We expect that demand to grow.” While the most popular lunch/dinner items are the fried fish items and the lobster roll, 3 Buoys doesn’t shy away from pleasing their customers. “We have a lot of gluten free offerings. You can get sauteed and grilled fish/food as well. Whatever anyone wants is what we will make,” says Nikole. Rounding out the menus are the extensive children’s menu and the weekly specials. Most recently the specials
included sourdough french toast, Irish eggs, swordfish serenity (lemon and garlic) with creamed spinach over rice, and shrimp chimichanga, to mention only a few. The clean, friendly atmosphere will soon spill out of doors with plans to renovate the side of the building into a dining patio. Says Nikole Holler, “By spring our outside dining area will be open. And soon we will be offering ice cream. We hope everyone walks on over with their kids.” After spending much time in Portland over the years, Bill Holler is thrilled with the improvements he sees on Munjoy Hill. “I’m intrigued with this location. And, I’m not a jet-setter. I’m a worker. I want to sell a good product, work with locals, and become a contributing member of this community.” Look for Bill and Nikole (and partner Bill Park) down at the Shanty. And keep an eye out for St. Paddy’s Day specials! 3 Buoys Seafood Shanty & Grille is located at 111 Cumberland Avenue (corner of Cumberland and Washington). Open seven days a week 8 am to 11 pm, Call (207) 619-7565 for take out orders and more information Sally L. Wright is an East End resident and freelance writer. Currently working on a novel, she lives with her husband, Steve Lee, and her dog, Molly. All three are anxious for spring. Check out what she is up to by visiting her blog: www.sallylucywrites.com
MHNO Neighborhood Survey 2013 1. What street do you live on?___________________ ___________________________________________ 2. The city would like to find a spot on Munjoy Hill for another Community Garden. Do you _support this idea? (Y/N)_____________. They have not chosen a spot yet. Do you have any _suggestions? __ ______________________________________ 3. Are you concerned about the St. Lawrence Arts Center Expansion Proposal? Please rate 1-3, according to the following scale: 1-not concerned; 2-mildly concerned; 3-very ____ concerned ________ 4. Whether you do or do not have concerns, are you generally: ___ In support of the St Lawrence expansion, but want to see your concerns addressed (If any). ___ Opposed to the St Lawrence expansion, no matter what changes are made to the proposal. Please list the top 3 reasons for your answers to questions 3 and 4, in order of importance (most _ important listed first): ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 5. Do you have any additional comments? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
3 Buoys will be open early for breakfast on St. Paddy’s Day!
Please send this form to: MHNO, 92 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 Questions? Call (207) 775-3050, email info@munjoyhill.org or visit munjoyhill.org
The MHNO Board would like to get a sense of what kinds of events our members would be interested in attending. These are events we would host from time to time. Please check the events that you would attend, or suggest other events that you would like to see. ��� History Stroll of Munjoy Hill with refreshments at Hill House ___Entrepreneur Night at Hill House: With networking hour followed by an interesting speaker
___Red claws day ___Bus trip to Boston sporting events or other events (theater/music/ballet, etc) ___Holiday crafting/wrapping day at Hill House Your ideas: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
___Story Telling Night at Hill House with a local Author
___________________________________________
___Hill Pub Crawl
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___Progressive Dinner Evening – A progressive dinner is similar to a pub crawl. Hors d’oeuvres at one house, appetizers at the next house, entrees at the next, then dessert, then coffee/tea. ___Potluck Dinner at Hill House ___Kite Flying Day on the Prom – a great activity for kids and families ___Poetry reading with a local Poet , may include a poetry workshop ___Seniors Night ___Kids Day (organized games, crafts, sporting and other activities geared towards kids) ___ Movie Night (location tbd) ___Pocket Brunch (this is a new thing happening about town by a group of creative folks who host exquisite gourmet brunches at different locations around town) ___Game night at Hill House (cribbage, board games, etc.) ___Observer Night –Educational workshop on writing and publishing newsletters and small newspapers ___Seadogs Day
The below information is optional, but it will help us to keep you informed about the results of this survey as well as all events that we schedule. Your Name: ___________________________________________ Your Phone Number: ___________________________________________ Your email address: ___________________________________________ Please send this form to:
MHNO, 92 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 Questions? Call (207) 775-3050, email info@munjoyhill. org or visit munjoyhill.org
Thank you for participating!
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March 2013
On Hill
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
El Camino de Santiago Essay by installment by Kate Campbell Strauss
It had been about a month since I left Le Puy-en-Velay, and I had walked 328 miles. My initial blisters had long since healed and, even with daily soreness and exhaustion, I felt at home in my routine. After my longest day yet – 16 miles from Lectoure to the city of Condom – one of my calves was intensely sore. As I approached the small town of Eauze, I decided to take a rest day. I found a “donativo,” a donations-only, pilgrims-only hostel, which was in the home of a young couple that had met as pilgrims on el camino. In the interest of healing my calf injury, they agreed to a twonight stay. At an internet café the next morning, I struck up a conversation with the owner, Frank, and learned that France was a contender in the Rugby World Cup. The team had advanced to the semifinals, so he would be closing early to watch the game at a nearby restaurant and invited me to come. A few hours later, we met at Loft Café. The TV screen had been specially mounted for the occasion near the roof of the patio, where the increasingly rowdy audience of at least forty could see. They encouraged me to drink a lot of wine and try the various pâté’s being
Afterwards, I wandered around Eauze and eventually got pizza for lunch. Some people beckoned me to a table near Loft Café. They had seen me at the game and were curious about who I was, what I was doing there, and why I would eat a pizza with spinach on it. One thing led to another, and my new friends put me up that night in an extra room. Invited to eat, drink, sleep, and play in Eauze, the days slipped by. I spent many mornings at the café, journaling and chatting with locals and the pilgrims passing through. Most people knew enough English to converse, but my friends insisted that I speak only French, so my fluency improved rapidly. I earned money harvesting walnuts, toured nearby vineyards and picked grapes, learned about a regional brandy called Armagnac, and became friends with the irreverent partiers I had met the first day there. My Eauze friends would claim that their town was nothing special, but I had fallen in love with it. I didn’t want to leave and even looked into getting a job there. In my mind, it could have been acceptable to stop walking and
Hello, Nick; Thanks, Peter After I moved to our lovely “city by the sea,” I joked that I could never leave Portland. Beyond its obvious charms, I’d found a dentist, hairdresser, gynecologist and mechanic who were perfect. Over the last twenty-eight years, each essential person either moved or retired. Only our mechanic remained, Peter Brown, owner of Cumberland Avenue Garage at the foot of Munjoy Hill.
passed around the table. The scene was a little overwhelming, but I had a great time, and France won by one point, so everyone was in a great mood.
ue the fine customer service tradition at Cumberland Avenue. Plus, he brings his dog Memphis to work - what’s not to like?
Corralling Wandering Pieces of Information What to do with all the pieces of information that pass through our hands and electronic devices? How to find what you need when you need it – that’s today’s topic. People frequently tell me they are afraid that if they put a piece of information in a file they’ll never be able to relocate it. This is an understandable fear, but putting something in a file does not mean it will be out-ofsight/out-of-mind. A good filing system will allow you to clear off your work space AND to relocate information easily. How to set up a good info-keeping system? Whether you use paper files or electronic ones, the basic theory is the same. 1. Filing is about finding not about putting away. The file/folder has to have a name that is clear and that tells you what’s inside. When you look for a particular piece of information you should be able to locate it by looking at the file/folder name. If it’s named January 7, 2010 will you know what’s in it? Not unless that’s a significant date and you’ll always know what it means. But if what’s inside is your prior year’s receipts waiting to be submitted for reimbursement, you’ll never find them. 2. New info/new folder. Set up a new file folder as soon as you need to keep track of something new. Maybe you’re starting a new project; maybe you need a place for new information – perfect for a new folder! If you have
More to come ... About the author: Kate Campbell Strauss moved to Munjoy Hill in February of 2012, one month after returning from her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James. Kate began her pilgrimage in Le Puyen-Velay, France, and walked four months to the northwest coast of Spain, beyond Santiago de Compostela, where the route ends. She would love to be a resource to anyone who is thinking of making the pilgrimage. Please send emails to Observer@munjoyhill.org.
By Elizabeth Miller, Waterville Street
Peter started on his path to car mechanic extraordinaire when he was fifteen, riding his bike to his job at the Lunt’s Corner Gulf Station. (That was in 1968, if you need to do the math.) He took engineering courses at Until December 2012. USM and gained his automotive technician credentials at SMVTI (now SMCC). He taught at Chevy dealerships in Peter and his crew have nursed eight cars between my New England and worked in several local service departhusband and me well beyond the proverbial nine lives. ments before striking out on his own. Old timers will Here’s what I know about cars: put the key in the ignition remember the business as InTown Tune-up, originally and go. Change the oil and oil filter every 5000 miles. near Monument Square. He purchased the business in Never once did Peter and his staff take advantage of this the early 1980s, moving it to Cumberland Avenue into appalling ignorance. They patiently explained necessary the building once owned by the Connolly family. Even repairs and figured out the most economical way to keep older timers will remember 122 Cumberland Avenue as us on the road. So the news that he was retooling to spend a repair business with an apartment on the second floor with family and to indulge in his hobbies of antique cars (apartment burned on Christmas Eve 1942). and whitewater rafting struck terror in my heart. The fates have aligned on this transition. Nick lives in Not to worry. Peter sold the business to Nick Pawloski, North Deering, just around the corner from where Pewho has followed in Peter’s footsteps and aims to contin-
By Solange Kellermann, the ClutterDoc
stay. But after ten days in Eauze, the strength of my commitment to el camino and my personal journey prevailed. Promising my friends that I would return, I packed my bag with a heavy heart and marched on towards Spain.
a backlog of ‘stuff’ to file, make a folder each time you encounter a new topic. 3. One subject/one folder. For the most part, you should have only one type of information in each folder. This is not an iron-clad rule - remember a system has to work for you. If you don’t need to keep track of much information putting related items in the same folder is fine. Maybe you only need one folder for all householdrelated information or health information. But say your household is complex and there are lots of pieces of information, you need multiple folders.
ter grew up. Nick took courses in industrial technology at USM and gained his degree in automotive technology from SMCC. A manufacturing engineer for several years, like Peter, Nick was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, striking out on his own, running a mobile tire business. Nick currently employs three technicians, including Munjoy resident Salem Whiddon. Key to its success are friendly customer service and knowledge of automotive technology, the latter demanding a commitment to lifelong learning. When he started out forty-five years ago (ouch!), Peter never anticipated a spark plug that would last 100,000 miles or 8-year old batteries or cars starting easily at frigid temperatures. The impact of computers means more high-tech diagnostic work. It’s just not good enough to be a “grease monkey.” Nick’s crew must stay current on technology that is still evolving; every year brings something different. My record is getting a Honda to 178,000 miles. Nick, may this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
UMaine Extension Offers Certified Vegetable Gardening Course The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is scheduled to present a five-session vegetable gardening course this spring on Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30pm in Falmouth. The first session is planned for Friday, April 24, 2013. The course is designed for serious gardeners and those individuals new to the Maine climate. It will include classroom, hands-on activities, problem solving, and field sessions. The course will address garden planning, season extension, applied soil science, water issues, and the effective management of weeds, insects, wildlife and diseases. The fee to participate in the course is $50 per person and includes a handy reference notebook for gardeners. Partial scholarships are available to those for whom the fee is a hardship. Extension Educator, Richard Brzozowski is the course coordinator and lead instructor. Space limits the number of participants to 25. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, contact Extension at 207-781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471 (Maine only) or andrea.herr@maine.edu or see the website http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/vegetable-gardening-course/ Contact: Andrea Herr, 207.781.6099 or email andrea.herr@maine.edu.
4. Indecision. It’s okay to have a folder labeled ‘I don’t what to do with this’. But if this is the fattest folder, we need to talk. 5. Put it in the file/folder! You have to put things in the folder, not leave them in piled on your desk, in the dark corners of your pockets, shoved in your bag, or scattered on your computer or other device. 6. Weed periodically. Every so often you should go through your files and folders and weed out stuff you no longer need. That insurance policy from 1998? Pitch it! Ditto receipts from three jobs ago. 6. Maintain. Keep up with filing and weeding – it’ll make life easier for you.
EVERY DAY LUNCH SPECIAL DINNERS 3-Ham Italian 135 Congress Street • Portland, ME 04101 for $10.99 BUY-ONE/ GET ONE FREE 10” Pizza Open 7 Days a Week
774-2279
Sun to Thur: 6 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat: 7 am – Midnight
Try our fresh homemade
Italian Sausage
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
March 2013
A Day in the Life of a Raw Foodie
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By Elizabeth Fraser, Girl Gone Raw
In the spirit of Spring, why not join Elizabeth Fraser of Girl Gone Raw for some raw & living food fun! Renew your connection to the food you eat & how you choose to nourish your body. For detailks and to sign up, go to girlgoneraw.com.
Stupendous Smoothies
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Modern Vegan Cooking School, Portland,
CLASS: Sprouting 101
Monday, March 11, 2013, 6:00 PM - 08:30 PM Girl Gone Raw Kitchen, Portland,
Raw Vegan Potluck Bring a raw vegan dish to share! Sun, March 17th, 5:30-7:30pm
CLASS at Whole Foods: Oodles of Noodles
Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Whole Foods Market, Portland, USA
Community Garden Program The City of Portland Department of Public Services oversees four community garden sites containing 118 garden plots. Individual plots are available for seasonal gardening. Each garden site contains a garden shed, basic tools; compost is supplied yearly. Contact - Joan Perkins, Community Garden Coordinator: 874-8872 or Portland Public Services information: 874-8801.
Food heart by foodriot.com
“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” —Abraham Lincoln Additional Community (non-city administrated) Gardens in Portland: Bayside Community Garden - Bayside Neighborhood Organization; Boyd Street Garden - Cultivating Community; Brentwood Street Garden - Deering Center Neighborhood Organization; Peaks Island Garden - Peaks Island Gardens, Riverton Garden - Riverton Neighborhood Organization.
Community Garden Locations 1)The Clark Street Garden is a small neighborhood garden located off Danforth Street in Portlands West End neighborhood. Clark Street garden contains 8 plots.
Challenging Sudoku Puzzles - B
2) The North Street Garden is located on the Eastern Promenade across from the East End School on Munjoy Hill neighborhood. North Street Garden was expanded by 16 plots in 2008 for a total of 50 plots. The East End School Educational Garden is located adjacent to North Street Gardens.
From www.veryfreesudoku.com
Sudoku Puzzle 1
3) The Payson Park Garden is located in Payson Park between Baxter Boulevard and Front Street. Payson Park Garden contains 31 plots.
Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and Receive 10 Free Trees The Arbor Day Foundation is making it easier for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring through planting trees. Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March 2013 and receive 10 free white flowering dogwood trees. “White flowering dogwoods will add beauty to your home throughout the year,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Dogwoods are known for their showy spring flowers, scarlet autumn foliage and red berries that attract songbirds during winter.” The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between March
1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE DOGWOOD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by March 30, 2013. Or join online at arborday.org/ march.
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CHESTER & V ESTAL, P.A.1
4) The Valley Street Garden is located on Valley Street, near D Street, below the Western Promenade. The garden is next to the Valley Street dog park across from METRO. The garden contains 43 plots.
Spring Planting is Near!
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8 Over 30 years of service to Munjoy Hill 7 5 REAL ESTATE • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Health Benefits of Pets Source: CDC.gov Most households in the United States have at least one pet. Why do people have pets? There are many reasons. Some of the health benefits of pets are listed below. Pets can decrease your: —Blood pressure —Cholesterol levels —Triglyceride levels —Feelings of loneliness Pets can increase your: —Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities —Opportunities for socialization Many groups support the health benefits of pet ownership. Learn more at “Health Benefits of Pet-Ownership Strengthens Human-Animal Bond.” The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people. “Health Benefits of Animals.” The Delta Society provides abstracts, articles, and bibliographies on the health benefits of animals to people. Health Benefits of Pets, NIH at http://consensus.nih.gov/1987/1987HealthBenefitsPetsta0 03html.htm .
JUVENILE DEFENSE • PROBATE, WILLS AND ESTATES 107 CONGRESS STREET • PORTLAND, MAINE 04101
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(207) 772-7426 | www.chesterandvestal.com
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March 2013
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
School News
“It takes a village to raise a child.” —African proverb
7 Ways You Can Help the East End Community School 1. Donate non-perishable, healthy snacks and/or money during this month’s Snack Pantry Food Drive at school. 2. Use your green thumb to help with upcoming, spring clean-up days or to adopt a corner of the school gardens. 3. See great films and take part in special events April 4-7, 2013 at the Portland Children’s Film Festival. 4. Give a book or two to the little libraries located around the neighborhood. Pick up a new book for yourself too! Little libraries are for friends and neighbors of all ages and located next to Hill House/Munjoy Hill Community Policing Center, East Bayside Community Policing Center, Mayo Street Arts, and EECS. 5. Clip Box Tops and Labels for Education. Box Tops and Labels can be clipped from designated brands of food and office supplies and turned into the office at EECS, 195 North Street, Portland, ME 04101. Box Tops and Labels really do add up to make a difference! 6. Target shoppers can designate a percentage of their purchases to go to East End Community School. Check out the Target REDcard Take Charge of Education program to find out how. 7. Share your time and talents. The East End is a vibrant community of artists, writers, musicians, inventors, I.T. experts, entrepreneurs, and business owners. EECS is fortunate to have a wide variety of talented community members already donating time during our amazing Rise and Shine program and throughout the school day. Contact the school to offer your time and talents too!
March 2013 Calendar SAT, March 2, 2013, PCFF Young Filmmakers Workshop at EECS, 12pm-4pm MON, March 4, 2013, Deadline for PCFF Young Filmmakers Contest http://www.portlandchildrensfilmfestival.com/young-filmmakers-contest THUR, March 7, 2013, EECS PTO Meeting at EECS, 6pm-7pm THUR,March 14, 2013, EECS Night at the Maine Red Claws -Thank you Unum Shooting Stars program! March 20, 2013, EECS Multicultural Family Feast Potluck at EECS, 6pm-7:30pm
Snack Pantry Food Drive East End Community School distributes fresh fruit and vegetables three days a week to all students. Students are expected to bring a healthy snack to school the remaining two days of the week. The Snack Pantry was started by a parent to make sure that the school always has the ability to offer a healthy snack to students who are unable to bring a snack from home. The Snack Pantry is funded entirely by donations. We are currently in need of snacks for the remaining months of the school year. This March the PTO will hold a food drive at school to collect non-perishable, healthy snacks for the Snack Pantry. Please be sure items are prepackaged and nut-free. Ideas for healthy snacks include: raisins, yogurt-covered raisins, dried fruit, pretzels, granola bars, baked tortilla chips, low-fat popcorn, unsweetened applesauce cups and pouches, snap pea crisps, sunflower seeds, Pirate Booty, whole grain crackers, rice cakes, pita chips, animal crackers, and cereal bars.
Grocery store gift cards and checks are also greatly appreciated. Checks may be made out to EECS PTO and sent to 195 North Street, Portland, ME, 04101 with a note enclosed that it is for the
At right, one of the ceramic tiles created by a fourth grader from the East End Community School: “It resembles my name Jack. It also resembles the ocean. The yellow represents the sunlight, and sunlight and the ocean make me happy.” –Jack
snack pantry. Please email board@eecs.portlandpto.org if you have any questions about the Snack Pantry. Thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for a recent donation that funded an entire month of snacks!!
Summer Children’s Camp Fair
Portland Children’s Film Festival WHO: All Ages. The PCFF is for everyone! Children welcome and celebrated, but not required. WHAT: High-quality, stimulating, and creative films; workshops led by experienced artists; discussion groups; and special media, communications, and filmrelated events.
Sunday, March 17, 2013 from 1 – 4 p.m. at East End School Gymnasium, 195 North Street. Portland. Free admission. 70 camps participating! Meet camp staff and find a great summer fit for your child, ages tots to teens. Overnight & Day camps. See Seadogs Slugger! Only camp fair in Southern Maine this year. Info: www.mainecamps.org or 207-518-9557.
WHEN: Thursday, April 4, 2013 through Sunday, April 7, 2013, www.portlandchildrensfilmfestival.com WHERE: Venues throughout Portland, including Nickelodeon Cinemas, Portland Public Library, USM Abromson Center, East End Community School, and St. Lawrence Arts FILMS: Programming for this year’s festival includes World Peace and Other Fourth Grade Achievements, a TED Talks celebrated film about Educator John Hunter, whose innovative approach to teaching geography, world politics, and conflict resolution through use of the “World Peace Game” has earned him and his students a trip to the Pentagon and world fame. Also showing during the festival is Hiroyuki Okiura’s Japanese film, A Letter to Momo, Le Tableau, a favorite from France, and Otter 501, an inspiring kid-centered documentary from Monterey Bay, California, teaches the value of protecting marine life through the story of a young woman who finds a stranded baby sea otter on a windswept beach after a storm. The Festival will also feature a collection of short films from the New York City International Children’s Festival, including films from India, Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, Canada, the UK, and the USA. Local films will include a premiere of short films produced by children ages 4 to 18 from the greater Portland area. HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS: The 2013 PCFF will offer a series of educational workshops, special events, and other opportunities for children and families to interact with filmmakers, producers, actors, writers, technicians, and others. Also in the works is a gardening workshop, screening, and special dinner to accompany the screening of What’s on Your Plate?, a witty and provocative film following two eleven-year-old multi-racial city kids who explore school lunchrooms, local eateries, community supported agriculture, food politics, and their place in the food chain.
Friends and Neighbors Saturday School Hours The EECS library is open on Saturdays from 12pm-4pm. Students, families, friends, and neighbors are invited to stop by for some quiet time to study, check out books, use the computers, play board games, or work on craft projects. There are also sewing machines available for families that are interested in learning how to sew or working on an existing sewing project.
EECS PTO
“Serving Greater Portland Since 1980”
For information about the EECS PTO (the East End Community School Parent Teacher Organization), Congratulations to all of tonights for the online newsletter and for upcoming events, go to Award Winners! 104 Washington Avenue • Portland, ME 04101 • 207.773.8198 www.eecs.portlandpto.org or contact board@eecs.portlandpto.org.
www.dalerandprinting.com
104 Washington Avenue • Portland, Maine 04101 • (207) 773-8198 mikerand@maine.rr.com
observer ad.indd 1
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MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
March 2013
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Friends of the Eastern Promenade Redesign of Cutter Street Entrance for Safety
On February 6th the Historic Preservation Board approved the Cutter Street Redesign project at its second public meeting to address this plan. The goal of the design is to improve overall pedestrian safety by slowing down traffic and increasing visibility of crosswalks within this area. The project includes a drastic reduction in pavement at the intersection of Cutter Street and Eastern Promenade roadway. The existing pedestrian crosswalk is the longest in the city at 100 feet and will be narrowed to about 40 feet. The crosswalk reduction still allows ample space for recreational boat traffic traveling to the East End boat launch. The pavement width of Eastern Promenade road will also decrease from 52 feet to about 38 feet from the Cutter St entrance to Morning Street and the top of Fort Allen Park. These public safety concerns are among top priorities within the 2004 Master Plan for the Eastern Promenade which refers to the Cutter St intersection as confusing. “Cutter Street appears to be an extension of promenade drive, not a separate intersection.” Narrowing the Cutter Street intersection will also add green space along side the Jacob Cousins War Memorial which com-
Crossword Across 1- Walk-on role 6- Diamond cover 10- Mission control gp. 14- Fencing blades 15- Pulitzer-winning biographer Leon 16- ___ Three Lives 17- Give it ___! 18- Created 19- Well-behaved 20- Lisa, to Bart, briefly 21- Shameful 24- Sad poet 26- Colonize 27- Do one’s part? 28- Glossy 30- Chart 33- Enumerate 34- “Hollywood Squares” win 37- Helps
memorates the City’s first Jewish soldier killed in World War I.
Friends of the Eastern Promenade Tagline Contest Have a knack with words? We need a catchy tagline! Create a memorable 3- to 5-word phrase that describes what comes to mind when you think about the Eastern Promenade. For example, Nike’s tagline is “Just Do It”. The first place winner will receive a complementary Munjoy Hill/Eastern Promenade print by C Michael Lewis valued at $50! Runners up will receive a gift membership. (Already a member? Gift it to a friend!)
FoEP Volunteers Needed for Flower Show
Our Garden Committee is seeking volunteers to staff our booth at the Portland Flower Show. The annual show begins Thursday, March 7, and ends SundayMarch 10. Volunteers are needed for both morning or afternoon shifts: 10 am - 1 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm. There will be two volunteers per shift. We will be promoting this year’s Munjoy Hill Garden Tour, so volunteers will hand out “Save the Date” cards and an-
Please label your submission “Tagline Contest” in the subject field. Email your suggestions to frances@easternpromenade.org by Valentine’s Day. Friends of the Eastern Promenade’s Marketing Committee will whittle down the fabulous responses to the top 3 winners and the Board of Directors will vote for the tagline chosen to represent Friends of the Eastern Promenade. Friends of the Eastern Promenade reserves all rights to use, alter, and/or reproduce the tag lines created and submitted by all contestants, as needed, without prior permission or notice.
(Solution on page 8) 38- Jargon 39- Long luxuriant hair 40- Wall St. debut 41- Conductor Solti 42- More secure 43- Ginger cookies 44- Aliens, for short 45- Low bow 48- Toy racer 52- Small unimportant town 55- Faulkner’s “___ Lay Dying” 56- Charged particles 57- Writer Wiesel 58- Annie of “Designing Women” 60- Gratis 61- Actress Ward 62- ___ nous 63- Soviet news agency 64- Exchange for money 65- Semisynthetic textile;
Down
1- _____ and desist 2- Month of showers 3- 1980s attorney general 4- Some MIT grads 5- Flightless bird 6- Lure 7- Purim month 8- Fix up 9- Agreeable 10- Bedwear: Var. 11- Up in the air 12- Capital of South Korea 13- Discombobulate 22- Cornerstone abbr. 23- 1/100 of a monetary unit 25- Openings 28- Flies high 29- Like some juries 30- Moo goo ___ pan 31- Tear 32- Stir
33- Hoof sound 34- Bumbler 35- Washington bill 36- Not ‘neath 38- Having no junction 39- Pole 41- Midge 42- Cork 43- Talks back to 44- “Evil Woman” band 45- Quick 46- Now, in Nogales 47- Queues 48- Pilfer 49- Spiteful 50- Minute Maid Park player 51- Ascended 53- Gen. Robert ___ 54- Window ledge 59- ___ roll BestCrosswords.com
swer questions about FoEP. It’s fun and easy—AND you are admitted to the show free of charge! If interested, email volunteers@easternpromenade.org with your name, contact information, and availability. Not keen on volunteering at the Flower Show but interested in helping make the Prom a better place? Email us today and we’ll pencil you in for a program or project that interests you!
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March 2013
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Food, Glorious Food! CONGRESS ST.
Chaing Mai Thai Restaurant 50 Washington Ave, 253-8021
Bakery on the Hill 253 Congress St, 773-5259
Maine Mead Works 51 Washington Ave, 773-6323
Otto Pizza 576 Congress St, 773-7099
Mitpheap International Market 61 Washington Ave, 773-5523
The Snug Pub 223 Congress St, 772-6839
Tu Casa Salvadoreña Restaurant 70 Washington Ave, 828-4971
Figa Restaurant & Catering 249 Congress St, 518-9400
Portland Pottery Café 122 Washington Ave, 772-4334, portlandpottery.com
Katie Made Bakery 181 Congress, 771-0994 Homegrown Herb & Tea 195 Congress Street 774-3484 Mama’s Crow Bar) 189 Congress St
MIDDLE ST. Hugo’s 88 Middle St. (207) 774-8538 Eventide Oyster Co 86 Middle St,, eventideoysterco.com 774-8534
Colucci’s Market 135 Congress St, 774-2279 Bar Lola 100 Congress St 775-5652
Dean’s Sweets 82 Middle St., 899-3664 deanssweets.com
Hilltop Coffee 90 Congress St, 780-0025 Rosemont market 88 Congress Street, 773-7888
Pepperclub 78 Middle St. 772-0531 Pepperclub.com
Girl Gone Raw Elizabeth Fraser girlgoneraw.com/
Good Egg Café (breakfasts) 772-0531 78 Middle St
Blue Spoon 89 Congress Street, 773-1116
East Ender 47 Middle St. 879-7669
Front Room 73 Congress, St # A 773-3366
DuckFat 43 Middle St. 774-8080
WASHINGTON AVE. Safari Restaurant & grocery 30 Washington Avenue
Ribollita 41 Middle St., 774-2972 ribollitamaine.com
Early March brings Restaurant Week to Portland! Time to get out & enjoy the finest dining around! Sandwiches, 171 Cumberland, 772-4084
INDIA STREET Amato’s Pizza & Subs 71 India St, 773-1682 Coffee By Design 67 India St, 780-6767
Complimentary tours and tastings offered daily!
Two Fat Cats Bakery 47 India St, 347-5144 Micuccis Italian Grocery 45 India St,.775-1854 Wine Bar?? Foodworks Beautiful Foods to Go 47 India St, 773-9741
51 Washington avenue | 773 - 6 323
W W W. m a i n e m e a dWo r ks .co m
Benkay Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 2 India St, 773-5555
COMMERCIAL ST. Rosemont Produce Company 5 Commercial St, 699-4560 Crema Coffee Company 9 Commercial St, 210-6473
Bayside Bayside BowL 68 Alder Street, 791-2695
FORE STREET
Silly’s Restaurant/ Silly’s with a Twist 40 Washington Ave, 772-0360 Coffee By Design 43 Washington, 879-2233 Discount Hala Market 46 Washington Ave
Sebago Brewing Co. 211 Fore St, . sebagobrewing.com
CUMBERLAND AVE. 3Buoys Seafood Shanty & Grille 11 Cumberland Ave, 619-7565 Bayside Variety 166 Cumberland Avenue, 358-7505 DiPietro’s Italian
“There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each others’ cooking & say it was good.” —Brian Andreas, Storypeople.com
Portland Pottery
& Metalsmithing Studio
118-122 Washington Ave • Portland
Seasonal Cafe Specials
Coffee • Baked Goods • Soup • Daily Specials Mon-Thurs 7am-7pm • Fri 7am-5pm • Sat 8am-5pm Full menu available on our website
Session II Clay Classes
Classes Beginning February 27th-March 5th
$245- Includes 8 weeks of instruction & materials
Vacation Camp for Kids April 15th - 19th
Choose from 5 Classes Daily Wheel throwing, sculpture, glass & metalsmithing. Classes starting at $13/class or $60/day 207-772-4334 • www.portlandpottery.com find us on facebook.com/portland.pottery
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Maine Restaurant Week
Free Pancake Brunch—Sun March 17
When: Thursday, March 1, 2013 - Saturday, March 10, 2013 Where: Various locations throughout Maine More information: Maine Restaurant Week Maine Restaurant Week provides participating restaurants an excellent opportunity to showcase their establishments during what is otherwise a quiet time of year. Not only do the restaurants in Maine benefit, but also their suppliers and other local businesses. “Customers love it because the specially priced threecourse menus offer value that feels downright decadent.”
State Street Church UCC invites you to join us on St. Patrick’s Day for our 10 a.m. Worship Service followed by a Free Pancake Brunch open to all on Sunday, March 17th. Brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Bring friends and family. Menu: Juices, Pancakes, Sausages, Fruit Salad, Granola. We look forward to welcoming you.
Maine Jewish Film Festival When: Saturday, March 9, 2013 - Thursday, March 16, 2013, Where: Portland, Maine - Map, More information: Maine Jewish Film Festival, 2013 Schedule, , The Maine Jewish Film Festival, MJFF, has “grown to be one of the bestattended, most well-respected, and highly-anticipated cultural events in the State. We attract a diverse, sophisticated, and deeply loyal audience base who loves independent film.”
St Paddy’s Day Annual Rí Rá Portland Plunge benefiting Firefighters Children’s Burns Foundation. Eleven years running, Rí Rá Portland, joined with faithful and dedicated souls, jump into the Atlantic Ocean at the East End Beach at 5:30 am on March 17th for St. Patrick’s Day. The bodies are quickly warmed with Guinness, as the pub opens at 6am every year with Irish Breakfast and an auction to kick a day filled with Irish celebrations. With $20,000 raised this year, it brings the total to over $75,000 that has been raised from this annual event for the PFCBF.
Benefit Night at Flatbread Pizza
Maine Maple Sunday
Every Tuesday Night is Benefit Night at Flatbread, 72 Commercial Street, Join us from 5 - 9 pm, For every pizza sold $3.50 will be donated to Portland Community Health Center
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013, Where: Various locations throughout Maine, FMI: Maine Department of Agriculture. Each spring Maine’s maple producers open their doors and welcome the public to Maine Maple Sunday. Many sugarhouses offer free tastings and live demonstrations on how maple syrup is produced. Some of them serve maple syrup treats, such as syrup on pancakes or ice-cream, and provide sleigh rides or wagon ride, live music and a variety of family activities. This unique Maine event, is held annually on the fourth Sunday of March. However, some sugarhouses have extended dates, while a few others have alternate dates. Be sure to check schedules with each sugarhouse.
Maine Boatbuilders Show When: Friday, March 15, 2013 - Sunday, March 17, 2013 With builders present to discuss their work, this is a collection of the finest wooden boats and fiberglass boats, built on the East Coast, including sailboats, powerboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowing boats.
India Street Neighborhood-Open House Saturday, March 16, 12:30-5:30 pm: Open House: India Street is changing! Drop into the Maine Jewish Museum at 267 Congress Street, Portland, anytime between 12:30 and 5:30 for FREE snacks, hot chocolate and coffee and the chance to vote your opinion on India Street’s future. Kids are welcome. Informal talks and a walking tour sponsored by Greater Portland Landmarks, the Portland Society of Architects and the City of Portland are also available. www.sustainsouthernmaine.org for more information.
Annual Easter Egg Extravaganza When: Saturday, March 16, 2013, Where: Old Orchard Beach, Maine, More information: Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, Activities and Events, An Easter egg hunt, Easter parade, photos with the Old Orchard Beach Bunny costumed character, animal balloons and other fun-filled games will take place at the Loranger Middle School from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Admission is free to the general public.
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Where: Commercial Street, When: Saturday, March 17 2012, Time: 10:30 a.m., , The Irish American Club of Maine will hold it’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Fish Pier on Commercial Street. The parade will follow along Commercial Street from the Fish Pier to the State Pier. This year will be bigger and better than ever with two pipe bands, the Stillson School of Irish Dance, The Portland Hurling Club and the Maine Gaelic Sports Alliance. Come out and share the Irish Spirit in Portland!
Rí Rá Portland Plunge
A Time For Peace Tues, MAR 12, Noon-1pm. Wars and rumors of wars, occupations… dwelling on the just peace ... There ought to be ways found to address critical issues without the violence of military force. A non-sectarian vigil, noon to 1 pm, in the garden at State Street Church, 159 State Street, Portland. Of peace, fmi: 774-6396
Portland Winter Farmers market Saturdays at the Maine Irish Heritage Center (34 Gray St.)for the Winter Farmers’ Market! We’ll be there from 9 am-1pm! What are you buying at the market this week?
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SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH (ANGLICAN)
Corner of Congress And Locust Streets—Established 1763
masses on
EASTER dAy March 31, 2013
at 8 am & 10 am
LENTEN ANd HoLy WEEk SERvICES Every Friday At 5:30– Stations And Benediction
PALm SUNdAy—March 24 masses At 8 and 10 Am
mAUNdAy THURSdAy—March 28 mass at 5:30 pm
Good FRIdAy vIGIL and PRAyER —March 29, Noon-3 pm
Congress Steet & Locust • 828 2012 • Munjoy Hill
The Portland Commerce Exchange is a non-profit organization promoting the exchange of business through quality business relationships.
We meet each Friday at 7:30 AM for one hour.
Our members learn about other members’ businesses and become ambassadors for each other in the community, generating and sharing networking and sales leads.
Please Join Us for our NeW MeMber ANd Guest dAy on March 15, 2013
7:30- 8:30 AM One City Center, Portland, ME Food Court Level, Burton Fisher Community Meeting Room Like us on Facebook at Portland Commerce Exchange
www.portlandcommerceexchange.com
St. Lawrence Arts Your neighborhood arts venue is at 76 Congress Street, stlawrencearts.org, 347-7177
MHNO is a proud member of Portland BuyLocal
Help Support the Observer with your advertising! eMail us: Observer@ munjoyhill.org
March 2013
Weatherization Resources
www.mainehousing.org/ Call 626-4639, or email Brad Snell, Program Officer, at bsnell@mainehousing.org www.hourexchangeportland.org, 470 Forest Ave. 3rd Floor, Portland, ME 04101, 874-9868, email: Rob@hourexchangeportland.org The Opportunity Alliance, www.opportunityalliance.org/programs/ 50 Monument Square, toll free 1-877-429-6884
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March 2013
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Colorful Solutions for Financing a Home Mortgage
The home you’ve dreamed of may be within reach. At Norway Savings, we offer several down payment assistance programs for eligible borrowers.
Karen Perry
Vice President & Branch Manager, Congress Street 207.482.7905
Claire Owens
Business Development Officer, Exchange Street 207.482.7924
Call for a no obligation appointment today – while rates are at historic lows. We’ll help you explore the many financing options available.
Member FDIC
1.888.725.2207 • www.norwaysavingsbank.com