M u n joy Hil l
M u n joy Hil l
OBSERVER
OBSERVER MHNO, 92 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
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FREE Published by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization Vol. 32, No. 4 • May 2012
Munjoy Hill is gearing up for the busy summer season, with clean-up events like the productive and successful “April Stools Day” on the 21 of April, sponsored by Friends of the Eastern Promenade and Fetch pet supply. Volunteers filled dozens of large black bags with litter, dog waste and all manner of trash at the 20th Annual April Stools Day & Litter Pickup. Trash collectors were spread out across the Eastern Prom, including Fort Allen Park, Loring Memorial Circle, the East End Beach, and Midslope Trails. “ScoopyDoo,” the mascot, made a special appearance to cheer on the volunteers and remind dog owners to pick up after their pets. Other April Stools Day locations in Portland included Fort Sumner Park in the East End, Harbor View, Clark Street and McIntyre Parks in the West End, and Baxter Woods. The finder of the Golden Turd at each location won a gift certificate to Fetch. Thanks to all who came out to keep the Prom beautiful! Meanwhile, the recent rains have brought the flowers out. All around town, more than 30,000 Pink Tulip Project bulbs are blooming this year, creating awareness and support for those who have been affected by cancer. Make sure to visit Friends of the Eastern Promenade’s annual Pink Tulip Project garden at the Cousins Memorial at the top of Cutter Street. You can make an online donation to the garden at pinktulipproject2012. kintera.org.
Above left, volunteers Kyle Knodt, Sarah Ayres and Richard Anderson take a break at Loring Memorial Circle during the 20th Annual April Stools Day & Litter Pickup. Below center, tulips bloomed early at Friends of the Eastern Promenade’s Pink Tulip Project Garden at the top of Cutter Street. Far right, cherry blossoms grace the children’s garden behind the East End Community School.
Eastern Promenade chosen as Venue for August Mumford & Sons Concert
By Thomas Kelley
In early April, the State Theatre announced the date for the concert by British rock band Mumford & Sons to take place on the Eastern Promenade in Portland—Saturday, August 4. This will be the first stop on a four-city U.S. tour for the Grammy-winning folk rock group. The
all-day outdoor festival, part of the “Gentlemen of the Road” concert tour, was unanimously approved by the City Council and will be promoted by the State Theater, which is estimating that over 12,000 people will attend. This upbeat bluegrass band formed in 2007, part of the west London underground folk
Upcoming Neighborhood
scene, but the group swiftly surfaced to international renown with their late 2009 release of “Sigh No More.” Mumford and Sons have released four singles from the album, all of which have garnered high ranks on billboard charts throughout the English-speaking world and Europe. In the US alone the album has sold over 2 million copies.
At left, watercolor painting, “Portland Skyline,” by Geeta Ramani, used with permission. Ms Ramani is the featured artist at the MHNO’s Hill House First Friday open house on May 4.
—Events— May 3: Green Space Gathering
A City-Wide parks forum, at the East End Community School, 6-8pm, familyfriendly. See page 16 for details.
—Hill House First Friday— On Friday, May 4, the MHNO will welcome visitors to Hill House, 92 Congress Street, for our first “First Friday,” featuring watercolors by Munjoy Hill artist, Geeta Ramani, from 5-8 PM. Artists interested in participating should send us an email at info@munjoyhill.org, with subject line, “First Friday.”
May 5: Mayday Celebration on North St All are welcome to the Sun & the Moon, a Maypole celebration, on Saturday, May 5th. Art, music, food and more! The event starts at 6 pm at the Top of the World Park (aka Fort Sumner Park on Munjoy Hill’s North Street) with live music, art, play, and a communal picnic, and wraps up with a Moon Dance Party at Zero Station ($5 regular admission). For more information, contact Will at 207 210 2411 or wethridge@gmail.com. See page 5 for details.
May 19: Rid Litter Day Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization will be hosting its first annual RID LITTER DAY. This is a day for community members to show their love for this neighborhood. Everyone is encouraged to pitch in, clean up and RID Munjoy Hill of the LITTER. See page 3.
MHNO Annual Meeting & Elections On Thursday, June 28, the MHNO will hold our Annual Meeting & Election of the Board of Directors. The meeting will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Cafeteria at East End Community School, 195 North Street. Watch for more information on our website and Facebook and in upcoming issues of the Munjoy Hill Observer. In the meantime, save the date!
Eastern Prom Sees improvements Portland Trails recently completed long-awaited erosion control work on the Loring Memorial Trail. After temporary repairs this winter, the installation of a permanent surface of granite pavers donated by the City of Portland was recently installed along the edge of the steps by Portland Trails staff and volunteers. The crew also repaired some erosion damage above the MaineDOT storm drain project at the end of Marginal Way. Leftover materials from these projects were used as a “placeholder” garden bed near the entrance to the East End Water Treatment Plant, until the Bayside Trail/Eastern Prom plaza project
is completed in the next year or two. Over the winter, city crews thinned dense brush along some of the steep slopes of the Eastern Prom and in other areas of the park. According to City Arborist Jeff Tarling, the project’s goal was to thin overgrowth obstructing views and remove invasives (bittersweet, etc.) that are choking out native species. In the spring, soil will be brought in and low-growing shrubs will be planted to prevent erosion on the cliff slopes. The next volunteer work day is Saturday, May 19. For more information, email info@easternpromenade.org or visit easternpromenade.org.
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May 2012
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) 766-5077 munjoyhill.org Observer Committee Andrea Myhaver, Tamera Edison, Sam Cohen, Kristin Rapinac, Lisa Peñalver advertising Tamera Edison tamera.edison@munjoyhill.org 939-7998, Lisa Peñalver, Layout, 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 Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization
Andrea Myhaver, President.......................... . ......... andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org Kristin Rapinac, Vice President...................... . ............ kristin.rapinac@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 Christina Feller............................. 773-4336 christina.feller@munjoyhill.org Ross Fields...........ross.fields@munjoyhill.org Jamie Lane-Fitzgerald.................................. . .. jamie.lane-fitzgerald@munjoyhill.org Thomas Kelley............................................. . .............thomas.kelley@munjoyhill.org
First Friday, Festivals, and Fundraising This month there is so much to share with you all! I’ll start by inviting you to join us at Hill House on Friday, May 4th from 5-8 PM as the MHNO welcomes Geeta Ramani as our first featured artist for the First Friday Art Walk. Geeta is a Munjoy Hill resident who paints beautiful watercolors. Please, stop by to meet members of the Board of Directors, enjoy some refreshments, and check out Geeta’s lovely paintings.
be
a
broad-based,
representative
organization committed to improving the 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 groups, encouraging self-sufficiency, and enriching the lives of all residents.
It’s never easy to ask for money but the reality is that as an all volunteer, non-profit organization, the only way that we can exist is through the generosity of the members and businesses that contribute to our annual appeal and sponsor our festival. The money that we raise is used to maintain Hill House every community, there is work and to support our service programs. We have spent the past year strengthenbe done. In every nation, there ing our financial position.
Another committee that is always active is the Events Committee. In addition to planning the quarterly meetings and other social events that take place throughout the year, the Events Committee also organizes the an-
From the Editor, Lisa Peñalver
Time to Bloom When I was a kid, Saturday was housecleaning day. My sister, brother and I were expected to do a proper job of cleaning of our own rooms, and the tasks of vacuuming the living room, washing the kitchen floor and cleaning the bathroom was divvied up among us. Papa would don white cotton gloves (no joke!) and go around the house checking our work!
nity involved in spiffing the place right up . “Many hands make light work,” as the saying goes. Please join the effort to get out and clean up the neighborhood! Let’s show some pride in ownership!
May in Portland is our metaphoric “cleaning day.” We still have the city to ourselves for a few more weeks before the tourists arrive in earnest, so we had better get ready! We have some work to do. Winter, mild as it was, has left us debris to clear away. For some up us, the detritus is physical trash to pick up.
The month of May also brings Mother’s Day. I was reading up on some of the popular ways to pamper your mom. A meal out tops the list. It just so happens that Munjoy Hill offer a bonanza of ways to make the moms in your life feel special this year! From the unusual and thoughtful gifts you can find, locally made, at the nearby shops and galleries, to flowers and jewelry, chocolates, baked good and ethnic foods. If you can’t come up with something to please her, you just aren’t trying.
For this task, the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization is launching the first annual Rid Litter Day, to get the commu-
As the season bring us warmer weather and blooming plants, this is a good time to plan gatherings of friends and neighbors. If
Send Your Letters and Hill news to observer@ MunjoyHill.org
your abode is small, as many of our homes are, these activities can now expand to outdoor settings. Barbeques, potlucks and picnics can be great ways to get to know your neighbors and are great community- builders. Along these lines, the Maypole Celebration on May 5 to Fort Sumner Park on North Street sounds like a great party for the whole family—music food & dance, what better way to welcome spring?! Looking ahead, we have school vacation, beach time and the Hidden Gardens tour coming our way. Break out the sunscreen!
WHO YOU GONNA CALL? You can help prevent crime on the Hill! If you see a crime happening or see/hear anything suspicious in your neighborhood, please call the police! 1)
Ann Quinlan..... ann.quinlan@munjoyhill.org
in January 1979, our purpose is to
nual festival is also our biggest f undraiser of the year, which brings me to my last topic; fundraising.
One committee that has been revived is are wounds to heal. In every heart, Thanks to all of you, we have been able the “Safe and Walkable Neighborhood” to support struggling families on the there is the power to do it.” committee. Upcoming on their radar is Hill through our Fuel Assistance prothe impact of the Mumford and Sons congram, and donate to the Munjoy Moth—Marianne Williamson cert and festival that will take place on Auers Christmas party, and we will soon be providing scholarships to mitigate gust 4th on the Eastern Promenade. The nual MHNO neighborhood festival. Last year MHNO supports this event because we feel transportation costs for summer camp for 10 the event was quite successful at its new loit is a great honor to host a band of this preschildren who live on the Hill. cation, and we’ve started planning early this tige in our neighborhood. We also know that year in order to make it better than ever. So We’d like to keep up this momentum, so I ask it represents an economic opportunity for save the date, September 29, 2012, because you, when you receive our letter of appeal, to the City and will showcase the scenic vistas the We Love Munjoy Hill Festival is coming consider your own financial circumstances, we residents of Munjoy Hill take for granted. and give as generously as you can so that the back to East End Community School! That said, we also know that carefully manMHNO can continue to expand the ways that aging the logistics and details of an event Along with being an opportunity to bring we give back to our great neighborhood. that will draw up to 12000 people is critical neighbors together for a day of fun, our an-
Katie Brown...... katie.brown@munjoyhill.org
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization
to its success and we plan to stay involved in all areas that impact the neighborhood such as parking, traffic flow, security, and clean up. We are working with the Friends of Eastern Promenade to schedule a public meeting about the event, so please watch our website and Facebook page for the announcement of the date and time.
In recent months, our Board has grown from a very small group of 7 dedicated volunteers to almost full capacity with 14 of 15 director seats filled. As the Board has grown, we’ve been able to expand our committees and “In that translates to being able to do more for to the neighborhood!
Joan Sheedy.....joan.sheedy@munjoyhill.org . ............................................. 774-7616
MHNO Mission
MHNO President, Andrea Myhaver
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. For info, email info@ munjoyhill.org.
756-8135 Daytimes: Janine Kaserman with Community Policing
2) 650-8770 cell: 11 am thru the night, new Senior Lead Officer Tony Ampezzan (at right) 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!
BULLETIN Board the munjoy Hill neighborhood Organization MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Open MEETINGS: The MHNO
May 2012
We Love Munjoy Moms
Grand Prize Winner Announced!
Board meets every 2nd Monday of the month, at 7 pm at the Hill House at 92 Congress St. — Please come!
—4th Grader Maxim Bailey— Special thanks to our generous contest sponsors: J.Kelley Salon, Otto Pizza, and Hilltop Coffee. Congratulations to Maxim Bailey, grand prize winner of the We Love Munjoy Moms Essay Contest! Max is a resident of Munjoy Hill and a 4th Grader at East End Community School. Max and his mom, Sarah Bailey, are the recipients of a gift basket and $50 gift certificate from J.Kelley Salon and a $50 gift certificate from Otto Pizza. We loved Maxim’s essay about his mom, “the best mom in the whole entire galaxy”, and we think you will too! My Mom by Maxim Bailey My Mom is the best Mom in the whole entire galaxy. I’m going to prove it by writing down things that my Mommy has done for me. I am also going to prove it by all the times that Mommy has helped me. One time Mommy brang me to Chucky Cheese’s because we had nothing to do. She got me pizza, we split it with my little brother Cedric and she bought us tokens so we could play games. My favorite game was a game that made every small thing look huge. Another time she was nice to me was when she brought me to Game Stop and got me Lego Star Wars. Me and her played it at home a lot. She had a profile and I had a profile and I got through my profile first. We had so much fun playing together. We played it together so much I had enough time to buy General Grievous.
YOU can make a difference— WE NEED YOU! The MHNO has several active committees and we are always seeking new members. Do any of the areas below interest you? Please drop in to a meeting (times and days for each committee listed below) at Hill House, 92 Congress St, to find out more! All meeting times listed are subject to change. Please visit our website for most current meeting schedule.
Member ship Commit tee Membership Committee oversees the expansion, maintenance and involvement of members (works with Events Committee as needed). Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. Chair: Ross Fields (ross.fields@munjoyhill.org)
E v en t s Commi t t ee Events Committee coordinates and implements all MHNO sponsored events such as quarterly and annual meetings, the We LOVE Munjoy Hill Festival, and beginning in May 2012, First Fridays. Meetings: 2nd Thursday of every month, at 6:30 p.m., and ad hoc as needed. Chair: Andrea Myhaver (andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org)
Ser v ices Commi t t ee Services Committee initiates and implements all service and assistance programs, such as Fuel Assistance, Youth Community Services, Holiday Gifts and our new program for elder assistance. Meetings: 3rd Wed of every month, at 5 p.m. Chair: Elaine Mullin (elaine.mullin@munjoyhill.org)
S a f e and Walk able Neighbor hood Commi t t ee
One way Mommy helped my was when I was so bored of playing the same zone of my video game, but she helped me by getting me stuff in the game so I could buy other zones. This was helpful to me because I could barely get through any of my game and now that she helped me I can go further. Another way Mommy helped me was when I playing on the playground and I slip down the slide and got a road rash on my elbow. She helped me by putting boo-boo bubbles on it and a band aid. She kept taking care of it and it got all better. And this is how I can prove my mom is the best Mom in the galaxy. I hope you liked my essay.
Safe and Walkable Neighborhood Committee oversees MHNO involvement in all matters affecting street, sidewalk and neighborhood environments (includes safe sidewalks, street clean up, parking and traffic issues, maintenance and use of the Hill House). Meetings: 4th Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. Chair: Eben Albert-Knopp (ealbertknopp@yahoo. com)
T he Obser ver Commi t t ee The Observer Committee provides oversight to the MHNO’s monthly newspaper, the Munjoy Hill Observer. Meetings: 3rd Wed of every month, at 6:45 p.m., 4th Wed of every month, at 6:30 p.m. Chair: Andrea Myhaver (andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill.org)
“LIKE” us & STAY INFORMED! 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! 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.
Join the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization New Membership 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! 04/2012
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
CapitAl City
Statehouse Update | Senator JusTin Alfond
justinalfond.com
The State Budget—Still a Moving Target On April 13th, after five weeks of work, the legislature overwhelmingly endorsed another supplemental budget, this one designed to take care of funding issues throughout state government between now and the end of fiscal year 2013 (June 30, 2013). I voted for this budget because the final product was a very reasonable bill, it disregarded most of the governor’s extreme proposals, and it received broad bi-partisan support.
governor’s original proposal, which included a lot of policy language, especially concerning future tax cuts, is now eliminated. Some other changes to the supplemental budget included: • The large cuts to state funding of General Assistance had been drastically scaled back. This state/ municipality program is very important to Portland; it is often assistance of last resort for truly desperate people with no other options. The fund would still have faced some cuts, but it still served as a safety net. The Governor’s veto of the budget again has put this funding in jeopardy.
Perhaps the most welcome change, in terms of what I heard from all of you, is that funding for MPBN has been • The Fund for a Healthy Maine (which was originally slated for a $4.2 million cut) was fully restored. fully restored. It does, however, contain language to move the state to a fee-for-service system for MPBN over the • It fully restored funding for higher education, includnext five years. This will give MPBN time to prepare a ing the University System, Community College Sysmodel that will work without a state subsidy, if necessary. tem, and Maine Maritime Academy (originally slated for a $2.4 million cut). Another major change is that the final supplemental budget is now strictly a budget bill. This means that the
• It provided an additional $360,000 for the Computer
City Councilor | kevin Donoghue Construction season has just begun on previouslyfunded capital projects on Munjoy Hill. You may have already noticed the completion of new accessible crosswalks and curb ramps to the Eastern Promenade from Moody and Wilson Streets. Other work to watch for includes the addition of another sidewalk segment being patched back onto the eastern side of Franklin Street between Congress and Middle Streets. At City Hall, we’ve just funded another series of projects using the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and have begun work on a
Crime Lab to allow them to better address child pornography and sexual exploitation. • It provided additional money for courthouse security. However, the bill changed again dramatically on Saturday, April 14th, when the governor used a line-item veto on two parts of the supplemental budget. He vetoed all funding for General Assistance and Disproportional Share (individuals transferred from our jails and prisons needing evaluations to determine if they are fit for trial). The governor’s decision to use his veto in this way put his extreme ideology and politics back into the budget. The legislature was faced with the decision to reconvene —within five days—to vote to override his veto, or do nothing, to accept his decision and let it stand. We did not reconvene. These two line-item vetoes have gone into the fiscal year 2013 DHHS budget, which we will vote on during the week of May 14th. As always, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this and other topics. You can reach me at justin@justinalfond.com.
CDBG & CIP Project Updates
first-in-ages multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). CDBG support is helping us to invest in some of our most loved assets on Munjoy Hill and the CIP promises to make some real street improvements. The Portland Observatory will benefit from over $100,000 is preventative maintenance, repairing its many windows so as to keep water from doing any structural damage to this building. Remember to visit the Portland Observatory on Flag Day, June 14, when the admission is free! The Abyssinian Meeting House will also receive more than $100,000 to finally complete exterior renovations, and to open it to the public. Finally, Fort Allen Park will
see more than $75,000 in direct investment to make the overlook area more accessible for disabled users, a great complement to ongoing installation of accessible crossings to the Eastern Promenade. CDBG funding will continue support tree plantings throughout the peninsula and on Munjoy Hill. In recent years, the CIP budget has been both inconsistent and unpredictable in scope. This year we begin a more comprehensive multi-year capital planning process, which should allow me to respond to constituent requests with not just a yes or no, but often also with a “when.” See page 5, Donoghue
Ask the Money Prof By Joel I. Gold Should I take Social Security early?
Deciding when to begin Social Security payments is an important consideration. Generally speaking, taking Social Security early (before your full retirement age) is not recommended unless you cannot work anymore, are in need of money or do not need the extra income during retirement. Early payments come with a cost that can be substantial. In addition to receiving less monthly payments (at age 62 one would receive only 75% of their full retirement amount), your Social Security payments will be cut if you have income above $14,160 (2010). The Social Security cut can be as high as losing fifty cents in Social Security for every one dollar earned above the limit. An argument presented for taking early payments is that it would take years to make up the early payments with the larger monthly payments if one waits. For example, let’s assume the monthly Social Security payment is $1,800 (this is based on one’s highest 35 years of income. If we annualize this amount we get $21,600. If one waits one year and receives 3.5% higher annual payments ($756), it would take 28.5 years to catch-up. Of course, if we use an investment rate on the $756, we would catch-up sooner. So, assume the recipient invests the $756/12months = $63 additional amount at 4%. This would result in a time period of about 19 years to catch-up. As the long-term investment rate increases, one can make a stronger argument for waiting and receiving the larger payments. However, not everything comes down to a strict finance decision. Here is the counter argument for waiting. If working is not burdensome (and in fact enjoyable), and there is some concern over not having enough money through retirement, then waiting for the
higher payments may be advisable. This especially makes sense if one does not have a pension and has not accumulated enough investment assets. Remember, Social Security is a very much like a pension (defined benefit plan), in that your income stream is guaranteed throughout your lifetime. Of course, nothing is truly guaranteed. But if you are retired now, or plan to retire in the next 10 years, you’re probably going to get what was promised. In addition, there is usually an annual cost of living (COLA) increase. (Congress just increased Social Security payments beginning in 2012 by 3 1/2% after a twoyear dry spell). Social Security payments provide an income stream to you and your spouse only. When both die, there are no assets or estate left (unlike defined contribution plans such as 401Ks – though income streams are a function of account size, which can vary based on portfolio performance). Early Social Security payments can increase financial wealth (net worth) if saved and invested. However, for the average retiree; the payments should be viewed, more importantly, as a dependable income stream through retirement. If you are willing to give up the early payments for larger payments later, it makes sense from a cash flow retirement standpoint. Joel Ira Gold has been a Finance Professor in the School of Business, University of Southern Maine since 1973. He teaches personal financial planning and other finance courses. Joel also is a licensed investment advise with the Gold Company since 1995. Dr. Gold lived on the Eastern Promenade when he moved to Maine and now has an office on Newbury Street.
On Hill
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
May 2012
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The Sun & The Moon: A Maypole Ceremony May 5: Art, Music, and More at the Top of the World Park and Zero Station
All are welcome to the Sun & the Moon, a Maypole celebration, on Saturday, May 5th. The event starts at the Top of the World Park (aka Fort Sumner Park on Munjoy Hill’s North Street) at 6 pm with live music, art, play, and a communal picnic. The Maypole ceremony will commence at sundown, and will be followed by a procession to Zero Station (222 Anderson St) for libations from Urban Farm Fermentory and a pagan dance party. Maybaskets from Rosemont Bakery can be reserved in advance at indiegogo.com/sunandmoon (all Maybasket reservations must be placed by April 30).
THE SUN
On Saturday, May 5th, a maypole - the ancient symbol of fertility and rebirth - will be erected at the Top of the World Park on Munjoy Hill. Starting at 6 pm, we invite you to take part in a communal picnic while enjoying music, art, and play. As the sun descends, we will begin the sacred maypole dance, and welcome the full moon. Music by A Severe Joy, Correspondences, and more. Free.
THE MOON
A lighted procession will continue from the Top of the World Park to Zero Station (222 Anderson Street), where we will be greeted with libations from Urban Farm Fermentory. Live music (Hi Tiger) and astral video projections will fill Zero Station from 8:00 - 9:30, and will be followed by an all night Dance Party (ends at 1 am). $5 admission.
MAYBASKETS
Entrance to the Top of The World park is free for the Sun Celebration and Maypole Ceremony, but Maybaskets for the communal picnic can be purchased in advance from indiegogo.com/sunandmoon. Reserved Maybaskets can be picked up from Rosemont Bakery on Munjoy Hill between 5 and 7 pm the day of the event. The Maybaskets will include a Rosemont sandwich (choice of meat or veg), a local soda, a homemade cookie, and a piece of fruit. Maybaskets for one are priced at $15, maybaskets for two are $30. All Maybaskets also include free admission to the Moon Dance Party at Zero Station ($5 regular admission). For more information, contact Will at 207 210 2411 or wethridge@gmail.com
Donoghue, from page 4 This year should bring a complete resurfacing of Congress Street uphill of Washington Avenue, a project that will allow us to shift the crown and center line to allow for a climbing bicycle lane, and the resurfacing of Washington Avenue. I hope to coordinate the installation of some permanent brick crosswalks to provide the visibility we enjoy at the top of Munjoy Hill. Such brick crosswalks would be funded from nearly $150,000 allocated for district sidewalks. The nature of a multiyear CIP budget allows us to look ahead somewhat and respond to the contin-
Students holding the Maypole ribbons, 1911 (University of Missouri Archives, C:0/46/7) muarchives.missouri.edu/mayday1.html
Mayday Celebrations Welcome the Arrival of Summer
By Delores Lanai, M.Ed In March we celebrated the Spring Equinox— with water - in a tub or in the ocean! Or drink water feeling the energy open up, flowers begin to open with the thought of what Summer means to you, up, and for those who aren’t so fond of Winter cold, including health and happiness. it a time of renewal! On Mayday, May 5th, many communities will have At the end of April (30th) and the beginning of a Maypole celebration, and this Year, Munjoy Hill May (1st) is the celebration of Beltane and May Day will play host. Many just enjoy the fun of the dance bringing us to the beginning of Summer—more and the colorful ribbons. heat, more bright colors, more vibrant scents, etc. Others celebrate the union of the opposites as men Beltane is the celebration of the fertility and the and women dance in opposite directions. Men Renewal of Life—of Mother Earth, Gaia, and of dance clockwise, the sun-way, and women dance pairing to bring offspring and children into the counter-clockwise, the moon-way. The maypole is world. Beltane is half a year away from Halloween, a very tall poll (de-barked tree) put in the ground, when we celebrated the end of life and ancestors. often considered the Tree of Life. At the top the These two festivals give balance to ribbons are attached. Dancers each take a ribbon, the year. holding them tight so the ribbons weave themselves down the pole as the dancers weave in and out Water is also associated with around the circle until the ribbons are all entwined. Beltane as it is required for new life. Lots of fun and beautiful to watch! To Summer! You may want to have a special time
ued requests to improve Munjoy Street. This area has experienced sewer collapses over the winter. While Munjoy Street will see only a thin “shim” resurfacing in 2012, planned reconstruction in 2013 will see the removal of the extant steel rails, which contribute to the uneven settling here. Meanwhile, this sorry situation that has caused us to redirect the bus over to Atlantic Street. Speaking of the bus, this month will introduce the extension of evening service on the #1. So, check the schedule and make a plan to use the bus for round trip for an evening out on the town!
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Historical Hill News By Jeanne Bull There’s been a rumor afoot that the walking tours were being eliminated this summer. As it turns out, this is not the case. The Old Port walking tours will be provided by the Maine Historical Society, while other walking tours will continue to be given by Greater Portland Landmarks. (Details will follow as they become available.) On another note, the Observatory team is excited to welcome nine new docents—Welcome! We are in the middle of training our new people and getting ready for the onslaught of third
graders who will be arriving on school tours of the Tower and the Eastern Cemetery (new to the tour route) These field trips are part of the school district’s Portland History curriculum—a program that has been a part of Portland’s education program for decades! So we’re off to a good start for the tour season—the official opening date is Memorial Day weekend. See you on the Hill! Jeanne Bull Lives on Munjoy Hill, volunteers as a history docent, writes for the Observer, and is a member of the MHNO.
On Hill
East Bayside News By Jeanne Bull There’s been a lot going on at the base of the Hill. The full-time position of Community Policing Coordinator for East Bayside was recently vacated, with the departure of Janelle Bechard. Her two-year, grant-funded position is ending this summer. Janelle had another job opportunity in her profession which she accepted. The work Janelle did in the community with Community Policing was invaluable, and she will be sorely missed. Community Policing works! To insure that there will be no interruption in services, our
own (Munjoy Hill) Janine Kaserman, with Shawn Ohn from the Portland Housing Authority, will be sharing coverage of the East Bayside position and office—an arrangement that had been in place before the two-year position was created. In other news, the Fox Street basketball courts were officially opened recently, with fanfare and dignitaries. Plans are in the works for new sidewalks and crossings at the base of Anderson Street. Mayo Street Arts continues to provide fabulous programs. Zero Station (at 222 Anderson
Street) has great exhibits coming up, and the Cultivating Community group is getting their Boyd Street gardens ready for another bountiful season. The East Bayside Neighborhood Organization meets each third Tuesday of the month, from 7-8:30 pm at the Root Cellar on Washington Street. Jeanne Bull is a resident of Munjoy Hill and member of the MHNO, and has been regularly attending the East Bayside group’s meetings.
India Street Neighborhood Association News—The biggest news is the May 9 neighborhood meeting with Mayor Brennan at Micucci's (second floor at 5:30). The height overlay review is proceeding and scheduled to be completed in September. FMI: Hugh Nazor, hugh@nazor.net
Conquer Your Paper Mountains I was reminded this week of how often we think we have clutter when in fact we lack a work station and proper storage. More than once I’ve walked into a supposedly ‘horrible mess’ and seen a mountain of paper on the dining room table, floor, couch….. Looking around for a work station and storage I’ve often found not a single bookcase, file cabinet, or storage box in the entire house. No wonder the paper lives on the couch!
Culling paper Your work station is where you pay
your bills and deal with important things. It shouldn’t be where every scrap of paper that has made its way into your home ends up.
CULL the mail and SORT any other papers you, or others, bring in—bills in one pile, important information in one pile to be dealt with or filed, interesting magazines (the bane of many people’s existence) in one pile; junk in the recycle bin; shredding in one pile; and so on. If you want to get really organized, arrange your bills by when they are due. Bills and important papers should have one and only one home. Ide-
Janine Kaserman Portland Police Department • Community Services Division, Munjoy Hill • 756-8135
Monday 08:30 am to 12:30 pm Munjoy Hill 12:30 to 4:30 pm- East Bayside Tuesday 09:00 to 12:30 -East Bayside 12:30 to 5 pm- Munjoy Hill Wednesday 08:30 am to 12:30 pm Munjoy Hill 12:30 to 4:30 pm -East Bayside Thursday 08:30 am to 12:30pm Munjoy Hill 12:30 to 2 pm-East Bayside Friday 08:30 am to 12:30-East Bayside 12:30 to 5 pm-Munjoy Hill
By Solange Kellermann, a.k.a. The Clutter Doc
ally, you should cull all this ‘stuff’ everyday, or at least every week; longer than that and it’s probably going to turn into a mountain. Among the important things you want to keep track of is the ubiquitous TO-DO list. Write these tasks on one sheet of paper, prioritize them, check off each as it’s done, and start a new sheet when you start writing in the margins and in tiny spaces. Transfer the ‘not-done’ to the new sheet of paper, staple the new sheet on top of the old sheet (trust me, there’ll be a time when you need information from an old sheet). Some people like to keep the list in a folder along with any papers that relate to a task.
Work station Your work station can be anywhere –
the kitchen table, the couch, the computer area; it can be a permanent spot or moveable. You can make it moveable by storing files in anything from a shmushed-out paper grocery bag to a nice file box – I’ve used both with clients – it’s a matter of budget and style.
Once you’re done working, file your bills and important papers. Keep papers you need frequently close by, those you need infrequently nearby, store the rest in labeled boxes or envelopes.
Storage A good file cabinet can make a world of difference when de-cluttering. Lateral file cabinets are great in limited space because they look like a piece of furniture and can hold a lot of stuff. Nice boxes or baskets can also work; I favor boxes because they can be closed and are less fussy to deal with. Make sure whatever you buy is the right size for what you are storing – not all boxes hold standard sized paper. Put books and files on bookcases to make your space more organized. Now you’re ready to transform that paper mountain! Solange Kellerman is a resident of Munjoy Hill and is active in the Friends of the Eastern Promenade. She offers cluttertaming consultations as the Clutter Doc. She can be reached at Solange@clutterdoc.com
Art Soul
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
May 2012
A Day in the Life of a Raw Foodie By Elizabeth Fraser, Girl Gone Raw
Never Say Never!
If there is one thing I have learned since discovering raw food, that is it ... never say never. Before choosing a raw vegan lifestyle, I said that I could never be a raw foodie; then after going raw I said that I would never, under ANY circumstance, give up my coffee; for years and years I said I could never do yoga because of the arthritis in my right hip; and before going raw I thought I could never do a fast of any kind. I was wrong … so wrong! I AM a raw foodie. I gave up coffee within 10 days of transitioning to a raw and living foods lifestyle, not because I wanted to, but because
my body flat out rejected it. I have become a yoga junkie over the past year. I have done several juice fasts and a green smoothie fast since going raw. That’s a lot of proving myself wrong.
tasty food. What have you said never to? The truth is, we just don’t know what is in store for us, and the best we can do is to be open to new experiences … like drinking green smoothies. How about starting your day with a green smoothie each day for 1 week?
When we step outside of our comfort zone, all kinds of things open up for us and it can often lead us down Ginger Pear a path that we could Smoothie never have imagined. If you had told me four 3-4 handfuls of spinach years ago that I would 1 handful of cilantro be teaching “uncooking” classes, I 1 banana would have laughed— 2 pears I would have laughed ¼ inch piece of ginger hard! I hated grocery shopping, spending time in the kitchen, and 1.5-2 cups of water I didn’t know how to prepare deliPlace all ingredients in your blendcious and nutritious food. er & blend until smooth & creamy. My, how things have changed. I go Serves 1-2. You can visit girlgonto the grocery store or market ev- eraw.com for details on the Green ery day, you can’t keep me out of Drink challenge or to sign up for the kitchen and I am now good at a class. And keep on rawkin’! preparing simple, wholesome and
My Secrets in the Garden By Kathleen Carr Bailey Entering my 10th year as a professional gardener/ landscaper my passion for what I do has not waned. Luckily for me, I am encountering a herd of DIY-ers who want to be as happy as I am. Competition? No, they just want to be privy to some of the tips to my trade. Once when asked “how do you know so much’, I laughed and explained, ‘I learned from my mistakes.” I hope you will too. In my new role as a Garden Coach I will share some of what I encounter. Certain mistakes are very avoidable:
(Or are they...?) many a gardener who has went on a shopping spree at their local nursery/garden center. Once they get home they are overwhelmed and now don’t know where to put it all. I equate this to grocery shopping on an empty stomach. One way to avoid this is to keep a garden journal or record your gardens progress with a digital camera to see what your garden will need for the following season. Too much of one thing, not enough of another or worse yet, purchasing a plant not suitable to the light and/or water requirements of your site. Make a list. Check it twice and always read the plant tag BEFORE purchasing.
more punch if you purchase odd numbers of few types of plants instead of one of this and that or 2 of one plant. The latter works for a truly formal garden but in a mixed border it has proved not to. Sweeps or pockets of color make more impact. Stagger the placement as to avoid a straight row.
• Lack of preparation. This can run the gamut from not It just doesn’t look and or feel right. This is testing the soil, especially important if growing food • • Once planted, it looks out of place. This trick is the description I usually receive when I ask what is sources, not amending the soil with organic material especially helpful when installing several new plants wrong with a client’s existing landscape. Upon my or not planting correctly. The latter can include hole or creating a new bed. While the plant is still in the visit, I understand. What I see is an array of beautitoo big, too small, planted too deep, not deep enough. container, place it on the spot where you planned to ful and thriving plants not displayed to their fullest. How-to’s are often included on plant tag or you can ask plant. Once all the plants are in place, dig the hole and Designers, whether interior or exterior, know your local garden center associate. Don’t forget to genplace the plants containers and all in the hole. The look the Rule of 3 works. What this means is that you purtly pull at the root ball to loosen and spread the roots is altered once the plants are at the correct height. It is chase in odd numbers, with 3 of one plant being the in their growing direction. better to fill in a hole and dig another than it is to dig norm. However 5, 7 even 9 can also work well, depend• Lots of plants but no plan. I have been called to out and possibly damage the newly planted plant. ing on the size of the garden. Your garden will offer These tips can save you time and work, if you give your project thought before proceeding. Hope this helps. More next month.
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MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Art Soul
El Camino de Santiago
An essay by Elizabeth Miller, Waterville Street
It was my first day of walking. After leaving the busy streets of Le Puyen-Velay, I walked up a small hill and was suddenly in the countryside, surrounded by rolling green hills and cow pastures. I sang and talked with myself. I spent time in silence. I enjoyed my lunch while sitting at the edge of a pasture and talked to the cows. I saw only one or two other pilgrims walking that day, so my choice to walk alone was not challenged.
I disregarded the advice I had read and heard that I should plan to make reservations while walking in France, partly because my plan was to camp and reservations wouldn’t be necessary for that. More importantly, I had carefully limited the technology that would go in my backpack, and a phone was very intentionally excluded.
I walked alongside roads, next to a forest, through fields, and shared a narrow path with dirt Writer Kate Campbell Strauss, in Spain on the Camino De Santiago- Courtesy photo bikers. I had a map, but it was vague and hardly useful at all. According to my guidebook, there were The path markers, which alternated betwo hostels in Fay but I visited both and tween painted stripes and scallop shells, no one was home. I took my shoes off were not frequent enough for my worand waited at a picnic table in someone’s ried mind, so I felt that I was lost much yard. of the time. One thing led to another and four hours But five hours after setting out from Le later, I had a hot shower, a bed, and priPuy, I arrived at my destination in Fay, a vacy—things I assumed I would never village of about thirty people. It amazed have on The Way. The owner of one of me that I had managed to find my way there, despite all the worrying. See page 10, El Camino
ReadersWrite ReadersWrite ReadersWrite ReadersWrite ReadersWrite
By Kate Campbell Strauss
Kate Campbell Strauss moved to Munjoy Hill in February of 2012, one month after returning from her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. She grew up in Western Massachusetts and attended Pomona College in Claremont, California. She set out on the trek shortly after graduating. She had traveled with her family as a child and studied abroad in Ghana during her junior year in college, but her pilgrimage was the first time she had traveled alone for an extended period of time. Kate would love to be a resource to anyone who is thinking of embarking on the Camino de Santiago. Please send emails to Observer@munjoyhill.org
Build Me a Bridge
It was the zeitgeist. Our high school class, confused adolescents seeking a path out of the upheaval of 1960s’ assassinations and riots, chose “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as our senior class song. I think about bridges a lot; we see the Casco Bay Bridge and the Ocean Gateway bridge ramp from our Waterville Street perch. I’ve always liked bridges, stirring to the risks, yet rewards they represent. Who wouldn’t, growing up in Pittsburgh, with its twenty-nine bridges spanning three rivers? Of course, that’s trumped by Paris, France, with its thirty-seven ponts, which in turn is dwarfed by Venice’s 409 ponti! How about that swing bridge in South Bristol, Maine? Or the lift bridge in Duluth, Minnesota? I’ve been lucky to cross Venice’s Rialto Bridge, built in 1591, as well as the medieval Ponte Vecchio, the only Florentine bridge to survive German bombings in World War II. Bridge trivia: What two famous bridges both opened in May? The Brooklyn Bridge on May 24, 1883, and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on May 17, 1937. Do you exhale relief at coming home when you cross the Piscataqua Bridge from Portsmouth to Kittery? I do, just as when I cross Tukey’s Bridge at the foot of the Hill, knowing I’m back on home turf. Which brings me to Munjoy Hill and the metaphor musings in this essay. Munjoy Hill has long been a “bridge” neighborhood. Stroll around the neighborhood and you can figure out where we’ve been and where we seem to be going.
Starting in the 19th century, our neighborhood has a tradition of welcoming immigrants, helping them build bridges to their new American lives. Irish, Italians, eastern Europeans, Cambodians and Vietnamese, Somalians, Sudanese and Central Africans, each in turn gaining a foothold. Look at the architecture; the Observatory speaking to Portland’s early 19th century maritime vitality, agents watching for merchant ships from afar. Colucci’s and Donatello’s among the businesses started by immigrants determined to build a new life in the many three flats lining our streets. The St. Lawrence Arts Center, still feeding the spirit, now through a rich array of cultural offerings. Or think about street names: Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Montreal, Quebec, all harkening back to the time of the Grand Trunk Railway and the grain depots along the waterfront. If only the railroad still came right into town. As the spring chorus of hammers, saws and nail guns usher in another round of renovations and condo conversions, I wonder what sorts of bridges are being built now. Are coffee shops and trendy restaurants the best bridge to a new Munjoy Hill? Am I the only one dismayed at how the “affordable housing” plan for the former Adams School actually turned out? I know, it’s market forces. But watching changes on our own street, it seems the gap between the haves and have-nots is getting wider. Is it time to reflect—on what we want our neighborhood to be in the future—and how we are to get there.
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
May 2012
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East End Business Focus
KnitWit Yarn—yarn on the brain By Lisa Peñalver
The stretch of Congress Street between India and Washington Ave. is truly blossoming these days, and I don’t mean the cherry trees. The shops and studios that line the street are bringing a special charm to the community, none more so than the KnitWit Yarn shop. I have to confess that I am a terrible knitter—it’s not even remotely one of my talents. So I was entering alien territory by venturing inside. I discovered a place that was surprisingly busy. Who knew a yarn shop could “bustle”? But there it was, people strolling the aisles, checking out the colorful yarns and the assortment of needles, asking about patterns and yarn weights. When the crowd finally thinned, I sat down to talk with owner Suzie von Reyn. I got down to the knitty-gritty: • Suzie von Reyn has owned the store since May of 2011; she came to Maine—“emptynested,” ostensibly to retire— after having lived in Williston, Vermont, for many years. • The previous owner, textile artist Anna Poe, first opened KnitWits in May 2004.
• The shop carries knitting supplies and a wide variety of affordable yarn with a few special yarns, including some rare and hard-to find brands.
holidays are always busy. Many more men are knitting these days, and Suzie
• Yarns are locally made for the most part—in Maine and New England. “I like to keep it local,” says Suzie. • Suzie and her staff are experienced knitters with an encyclopedic knowledge of yarns and knitting techniques.
Above, owner Suzie von Reyn talks yarn with some visiting customers from Boston. In the bowl behind Suzie is a Quince & Co. yarn knit blanket, of the sort mentioned in the article. At left is the interior of the KnitWit Yarn shop.
• They offer classes and instruction to knitters of all skill levels.
ing in Portland and seen us online, realized we are right here. People like to see and touch the yarns they buy.”
• KnitWits carries many popular patterns and a number of original artist designs. • Suzie loves Munjoy Hill—its walkability, friendly community, arts & artists, closeness to the Old Port, downtown, the ocean, islands. • Suzie and her staff are just about the nicest people you could meet! We spoke about the ebbs and flows of the business. Fall, of course, brings in people dreaming of cozy sweaters, and the
can drop in and then continue on the Art Walk. “We know we couldn’t have done it without you, our customers, this year, so now it’s our turn to say thanks!”
I asked if she was surprised by anything she has learned as a “new” owner of a Munoy Hill business. sees many who come in to buy yarns as gifts for their partners. Then Suzie cocks her head. “The strangest thing—remember how HOT it was last summer? Last July, on the ONE day that it broke records for heat, I sold TWO Quince & Co. winter blanket kits (each one takes 10 skeins of bulky weight yarn!). They must have been vacation-
“I am just amazed at how nice everyone is, and how patient they are… with me as I learn how to run the shop.” Suzie’s Knitwits Yarn Shop is celebrating its First Anniversary in May. Come in on Friday, May 4, when they will be celebrating with goodies, good deals on yarn products and fun! The party runs from 4–7 pm, so you
By Andrea Myhaver Start designing your stand and squeezing your lemons--Lemonade Day Maine 2012 registration opened on March 31st. Register at Portland Recreation Department, or see an event online, and get your FREE Lemonade Day Maine backpack. This includes a business plan workbook and adult guide to help the young entrepreneur succeed. Registration ends when the backpacks run out!
You’ll find the yarn shop’s blog online at yarnonthebrain.com, and the KnitWit Yarn Shop is at 247A Congress Street, 7746444, yarnbrain@gmail.com. Shop hours: Tues-Thur 10 p- 5p, Fri 10a - 6p , Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 12- 5p.
lemonade. Last year’s winner made $400 in 5 hours! The official Lemonade Day Maine, when kids from all over the state set up their stands and sell lemonade is June 3rd from 12 - 3 PM.
“Imagine hundreds of lemonade stands throughout Maine on June 3rd, and run by Maine’s future entrepreneurs,” said Executive Director Kate Krukowski Gooding. “Lemonade Day Maine will bring focus to one of Maine’s great strengths, the community of entrepreneurs, young and This year there will be a “Best Lemonade old, whose energy drives the economy,” Recipe” contest held in Monument Square added Bangor Savings Bank Senior Vice on May 17th from 3 - 6 p.m. The panel of President Yellow Breen. celebrity judges will be announced soon. The top winner will receive a Munjoy Hill Lemonade Day is a nationwide event Neighborhood Organization sponsored that teaches youth the skills they need spot on Munjoy Hill On July 4th to sell to help them to be successful in the future, using a lemonade stand as a vehicle. Through this hands-on, See puzzle on page 12 entrepreneurial program, participating youth will learn to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service and give back to the community. Lemonade Day is the perfect opportunity for all communities to come out to buy lemonade, show kids they care, and to train the next generation of entrepreneurs through a free, fun, engaging, experiential activity. Please visit lemonadeday.org for more information or to register. Come support Maine’s future entrepreneurs on Sunday, June 3, 2012, and BUY LEMONADE.
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
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.
Introducing Amigos de Mente/Friends of Mind
an interview with founder Maria Ferreira Cushing By Christina Feller, President, Living With Peace This writer has known Maria Ferreira Cushing for the past three years. I have watched her work with determination to put on enormous fundraising events, raising funds to send goods and clothing to West Africa. So I sat her down (figuratively) and asked her about her work and the delicious food she prepares and sells locally.
two years. I love it because my first place in town was on the Eastern Prom!
Where is Cape Verde Island located, and what the mission of your NGO? Cape Verde Island is located off the West Coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. It was a Portuguese colony so the language is Portuguese. Cape Verde has 12 islands, 10 are inhabited and What is her connection 2 are not. I care about with Portland? A native of Cape Verde because it’s Cabo Verde and Guineawhere I grew up, went Bissau islands, Ms. Ferreira to school, have my Cushing has lived in the house and my family is United States since 1982. there. My parents are Previously a social worker also from Cape Verde in Cabo Verde, she now Island. They left Cape works at Maine Medical Verde when they were Center in Portland, Maine. 16 years old to work in A professional interpreter, Guinea Bissau. Cape she is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Cabo Verde has always been a sister island to Guinea Bissau because the Portuguese Verdean Kriol. colony brought slaves from there to build Q: How do you like living in Portland? I Cape Verde. I care about these places have been in Portland many years now and because that’s where I grew up, loved and have been going to MunjFest for the past
the place I care for. What are the ingredients in the dishes you serve? I serve main dishes from Portuguese colonies (Cape Verde, Brazil, Guinea Bissau, Angola). The main dish is Feijoada (baked beans, vegetables and meat), Cachupa (bean and corn stew marinated with meat or fish), Bacalhau A Gomes de Sa (dry salt codfish, boiled rice, vegetables marinated with olive oil and vinegar), Calumancara (peanut butter with chicken or fish, lemon juice and spices). All the dishes include rice. Q: So, why did you create Friends of Mind? The reason I founded Friends of Mind in 2003 is because we have a huge immigrant population in Massachusetts. Many of our youth had been deported to Cape Verde because of alcohol, drugs and criminal issues. I started working to create an education program for the immigrants in Maine, as well as collecting medical supplies to Cape Verde islands and bring volunteers to Cape Verde. At this moment, our organization helps Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde and
Sao Tome with the main focus mostly on Guinea Bissau and our next focus is Sao Tome. You are well known and respected in your community—what would you like readers to know? Yes, I am a long-time leader in the Cabo Verde community and in the Diaspora here in New England. I have worked for the community in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Amigos de Mente helps immigrant communities organize to assist the countries of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau in order to improve their health and medical institutions. If people wish to help raise money or collect materials or participate in the annual trips to West Africa, please reach out immediately to Maria at mariacushing5@yahoo.com.For more about Amigos de Mente/Friends of Mind, visit friendsofmindwestafrica.wordpress.com
El Camino, from page 8, the hostels had invited me to stay in her daughter’s old room. Another hostel owner welcomed me to join her and her guests, a pilgrim couple from Austria, for dinner. Over bread, zucchini soup, lentils with sausage, cheese, crepes, and red wine, we navigated language barriers to discuss politics, religion, the hostel owner’s work as a costumer, and the camino. I was humbled to learn that Fay is only a fifteen-minute drive from Le Puy. The owner shared old photos and the history of the house, which has been in her family for generations. She invited me to come back for breakfast the next day. I walked across the little road back to my room in the other hostel, inspected my newly formed blisters and the bruises on my collarbones, and fell asleep. The first day had been an emotional rollercoaster dotted with moments of utter joy, grief I have yet to understand, laughter, doubt that my body could handle the journey, and gratitude for my solitude and for the generous people surrounding me. (To be continued ...)
Crossword ACross Across 1- “Power Lunch” network 5- Rocky hilltop 8- Arabian Sea gulf 12- ___ avis 13- Thin as ___ 15- Antitoxins 16- Auricular 17- Brief brawl 18- ___ expert, but... 19- Frail boat 22- CIA forerunner 23- Unit of illumination 24- Crazy as a ___ 26- Mark used in ancient manuscripts 29- Young swan 31- Hindu honorific 32- “See ya!” 34- Consumed 36- Hamlet, e.g. 38- Toil
CORRECTION: our apologies for mixing up the blank and solutions for this puzzle in the April issue. For those who puzzled over that conundrum last month, here are the correct parts. 40- Baseball team 41- ___ und Drang 43- Norwegian dramatist 45- Mark of Zorro 46- Cream cake 48- Potpourri bag 50- Carson’s successor 51- Aussie hopper 52- Chemical ending 54- Needless 61- River to the Moselle 63- Herbert Hoover, for one 64- Pipe 65- Commedia dell’___ 66- Change for the better 67- “___ Brockovich” 68- Chilled 69- Baseball stat 70- Miss;
Down 1- Gator’s cousin 2- Defense grp. since 1949 3- ___-a-brac 4- Chatter noisily 5- Very, in Versailles 6- Swear words 7- Baptism, e.g. 8- Faulkner’s “___ Lay Dying” 9- Withdraw money from use 10- Sea eagles 11- Greek temple 13- Neuter 14- Hard candy 20- Soothe 21- Expensive seating area 25- Son of Judah 26- Declaim 27- Having two nuclei 28- Flight of steps 29- Crucifix
30- Belief 31- Radical ‘60s org. 33- Backward tidal movement 35- Born 37- Della’s creator 39- Hindmost part 42- Hindu lawgiver 44- Sgts., e.g. 47- Ancient region of Asia Minor 49- Inn 52- Actor Morales 53- Bust maker 55- Iditarod terminus 56- Large jug or pitcher 57- Injectable diazepam, in military lingo 58- Ambience 59- Diamond stats 60- Cravings 62- Roulette bet; BestCrosswords.com
Solution on page 6
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER Spotlight on Non-Profits is a regular feature. To feature your favorite non-profit, please contact Lisa Peñalver at observer@munjoyhill.org.
May 2012
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Sexual Assault by the Numbers Source: sarsonline.org
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine A Profile in Empowerment By Diane Russell One of my friends has been raped four times. It is a secret that almost killed her. A counselor saved her life, quite literally. The pain ripped her apart and the only medication that dulled the pain was the kind one picks up from a car with tinted windows. While she lives with the pain on a day-today basis, she was able to find the help she needed to cope. She tells me the pain never goes away, she just learned to cope better. Today, she has a career that turns heads, lives a vibrant life and is eternally grateful to that counselor who empowered her find her way back to herself. Cumberland and York Counties are blessed with many counselors, both professional and volunteer, who dedicate their lives to guiding victims through the process of justice and healing. Whether a victim was assaulted twenty minutes ago or twenty years ago, the team at Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) kicks into gear to protect victims. Earlier this year, in January, Amy Thomas took over as the new Executive Director. She shared with me the amazing services SARSSM provides—free of charge—to victims of sexual assault and those who care about them. In a society where one in six woman is either a victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault and 97% of rapists will never see a day of jail, their work is essential for victims. Ms.
Thomas outlined three areas where SARSSM focuses:
support groups for women and for men.
First, they educate students, police officers and members of the public about sexual assault and inappropriate touching, with an age-appropriate curriculum. It is the primary means to pro-actively work to prevent assault, help people recognize and name unwanted sexual advances, and expand awareness.
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month this spring, SARSSM hosted its Take Back the Night event on April 27th in Monument Square. Each year, all over the country, men and women from all walks of life participate in these marches. After last years’ event, I walked away with a new appreciation for the courage of victims, as well as for the nuances of unwanted sexual advances.
Second, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SARTs)—advocates for, and works directly with, victims and those affected by the attack. They provide support and work with
police departments, hospitals, courthouses and the legal system. They also help victims navigate through the medical, justice and healing process, ensuring victims have the services they need. The third component is the crisis and support hotline. Volunteer counselors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide phone support for victims of sexual assault, as well as friends and family of victims. It’s a comprehensive service that affords victims a safe means to seek help where they can be folded into a broad array of services including
One out of every six American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape). A total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. (Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998)
About three percent (3%) of American men—a total of 2.78 million men—have experienced an attempted, or completed, rape in their lifetime. (Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women 1998)
About 44% of rape victims are under age 18. Three out of every twenty victims (15%) are under age 12. (Sex Offenses and Offenders. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, 1997)
The latest project of the SARSSM is to co-lead, with the Portland Police Department, a coalition tasked with reviewing, studying, documenting and evaluating the impact of human trafficking. The coalition has been working for about a year to examine the pervasiveness of human trafficking in Maine, how to identify it, name it, and prevent it. The work is ongoing, but this is an important step in being able to craft effective public policy that goes after the perpetrators and not the victims of such trafficking, while also raising public awareness about this increasingly troubling important domestic issue. As Ms. Thomas put it, “We want to get the new generation thinking about sexual assault and violence. It would be great to put ourselves out of business.”
My friend continues to inspire me for her courage to face her demons, get out of bed each day, and still be a fierce advocate for justice. Her success is directly related to her ability to access quality services and supportive counselors—precisely the type of services SARSSM provides to Southern Maine. SARSM has a 24 Hour Crisis & Support Hotline: 1-800-3139900, TTY: 1-888-458-5599 If you would like to donate or volunteer fro SARSM, check them out online at sarsonline.org. or email infosars@sarsonline.org
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Chavez Observance: A Glimpse at Portland’s Future By Ralph Carmona, Executive Director of Maine Global Institute, and board member of the MHNO
On Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the First Parish of Portland an observance of Cesar Chavez’s birthday was held, recognizing the 50th Anniversary of United Farm Workers of America. Keynote Speaker was the activist’s grandaughter, Christine Chavez.
LAST YEAR, when a leading historian was asked whose life should be chronicled in the next great American biography for the 20th Century, his response— Cesar Estrada Chavez. The reasons involve the values Chavez advocated for a changing American demography. We are familiar with those activists engaged in civil rights and anti-war protests of the 1960s and 1970s, and who went on to professional careers. But there were many others who put their lives on hold to join Cesar’s United Farm Worker movement and who underwent life-changing experiences. Delano Grape California’s Strike during the mid-1960s historically transcended the farm fields to become a national campaign against American injustice. Chavez’s Catholicism became a driving force for those like Harvard-trained Maine physician, Dr. John Radebaugh, who committed his life to Cesar’s values and efforts to organize America’s
“We draw strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.”
poorest workers. John was among many local residents who recently attended the Portland Chavez Observance on March 31, coming to listen to Mayor Michael Brennan and others reflect on Cesar’s La Causa – “The Cause” – for the future. Cesar’s power was a devotion that pulled religion off its honored shelf and applied it to life’s harsh inequities. Words of remembrance from keynote speaker, Christine Chavez on her grandfather’s commitment to solidarity for society’s marginalized were joined with observations and insights from diverse panelists. The focus was on how Cesar’s values are applicable to a demographic tsunami of immigrants destined to impact Portland and Maine. Munjoy Hill is experiencing
another immigration that is transforming its diversity— immigrants who come as retirees and college youths. They see in Portland a special quality of life, and wish to make it more economically creative. There are also those migrating from rural areas into urban Portland. The most obvious newcomers are immigrants without documents, coming as refugees or seeking asylum. The impact of African immigration on Greater Portland is unprecedented. Up north, the majority of the migrant and seasonal workforce of color are Latinos. Economic uncertainty makes for social anxiety in the face of growing immigration. Yet Portland is at the epicenter of a Pine Tree State on a road yet traveled. How else to explain
Above left, Portland Chavez Observance keynote speaker, Christine Chavez, sits on grandfather Cesar Chavez’s shoulders (photo courtesy of the cesar chavez foundation). Attending Chavez Observance from left: State Senator Cynthia Dill, MGI Executive Director and MHNO board member Ralph Carmona, NAACP Bangor leader Robert Talbot, and guest speaker Christine Chavez. (photo by Katrina Herzog)
the contradiction of the Federal Department of Labor naming its auditorium after Cesar Chavez, at a time when his name was being removed from Maine’s State Labor Department? Economist/planner Charles Lawton recently observed that, without the presence of immigrants of color, Maine would be at the bottom among states in population growth; lack of human capital is a bad sign for economic growth.
Come try our own fresh, homemade Italian Sausage.
Will flat-birth-rate Maine see fit to reach out to people “from away”? Portland’s Mayor and City Council are leading the way. The Maine Global Institute is working with immigrants of all backgrounds, along with business, civic and elected leaders, to secure a positive Maine integration of its changing diversity. Understanding those endeavors and learning from Cesar Chavez’s values are critical to the future of our creative economy.
Lunch and dinner plates made fresh daily
— Cesar E. Chavez
Open 7 Days a week Weekdays: 6 am – 10 pm Fri. & Sat: 6 am – 11 pm
135 Congress St • 774-2279 MHNO is a proud member of Portland BuyLocal
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
May 2012
Now located right on Munjoy Hill!
Falmouth Flowers and Gifts 58 Washington Ave. | Portland Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough. ~ A. E. Houseman, Shropshire Lad
Falmouth Flowers and Gifts is a fullservice florist offering first quality, fresh cut flowers and arrangements. We will exceed your expectations for all occasions. We can create one-of-a-kind arrangements for newborns, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, and special events of all kinds. We also create unique holiday decorations and wreaths as well as theme-specific gift baskets. For this cheerful spring season, we have: • beautiful spring & Easter arrangements; • fresh wreaths and candle rings; • fruit and gourmet baskets; • live seasonal plants; • gift certificates in all denominations and a lovely selection of gifts from which to choose. • In-home decorating available.
*Easter is on April 8th ~ Be sure to order early!
We are located at the corner of Washington Ave. and Oxford Ave. (on the Silly’s side of the street.) Making floral deliveries throughout the greater Portland and Falmouth area. Like us on Facebook
Local Delivery Available | Wire-Out Service | Satisfaction Guaranteed
207-781-5533
Complimentary tours and tastings offered daily! 51 Washington avenue | 773 - 6 323
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Haley’s Dog Walking, LLC Dog First-Aid Certified Insured • Portland, Maine
207-408-2889
haleysdogwalking@hotmail.com
CHESTER & V ESTAL, P.A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Over 30 years of service to Munjoy Hill
“Serving Greater Portland Since 1980”
REAL ESTATE • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY Congratulations to all of tonights JUVENILE DEFENSE • PROBATE, WILLS AND ESTATES Award Winners! 104 Washington Avenue • Portland, ME 04101 • 207.773.8198 • 107 CONGRESS STREET
PORTLAND, MAINE 04101
www.dalerandprinting.com (207) 772-7426 | www.chesterandvestal.com 104 Washington Avenue • Portland, Maine 04101 • (207) 773-8198 mikerand@maine.rr.com
observer ad.indd 1
9/18/2009 8:37:35 AM
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER http:/www.stlawrencearts.com
St. Lawrence Arts Center
May 6–Bird & Ecology Walk
Your neighborhood arts center is at 76 Congress Street, stlawrencearts.org, 347-7177
Sunday, May 6, 8-11 am, Derek Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply will once again be our guide, Walkers will meet at the Fort Allen Park bandstand at 8 am. Cost: $5 for FoEP members, $10 for nonmembers. RSVP to info@easternpromenade.org.,
Mayo Street Arts, Performances & Classes 10 Mayo Street, mayostreetarts. org —Times vary. Classes: Tango, Belly Dancing, Kids Yoga, Juggling, Zumba and Pilates. Artist Studios, theater, poetry, music and more. Contact 615-3609, or info@mayostreetarts.org
Port Veritas Spoken Word Night Poetry Readings, Every Tuesday 7-10 pm, @ Local Sprouts, 649 Congress St., Portland, All Ages,Gil Helmick, 400.7543,
May 11 & 12–Deering High presents “The Wizard of Oz” A musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” on May 11 at 7 p.m., May 12 at 2 and 7 p.m. and May 13 at 2 p.m. at 370 Stevens Avenue, Portland.Tickets may be ordered at www. deeringdrama.org or 874-8260 and leaving a message for Kathleen Harris
May 5: East End Maypole Celebration May 5, 5 pm, ”The Sun & The Moon,” event on Saturday, at Fort Sumner Park on North Street. A celebration of rebirth and renewal, springtime and community. A Maypole will be erected in the center of the park. Come to decorate the maypole with streamers, enjoy lawn games, live acoustic music by local artists, and interact with nature-based art. At 7:30 pm, the Maypole will be wrapped by the streamers/dancers. Free to all.
Suit Yourself Sale–Dress for Success Maine –May 5 Saturday, May 5, 2012, 8 am -2 pm at Catherine McAuley High School We’ill have our usual amazing deals, vendors and raffle prizes. Most items are just $5! RSVP call 780-1686 or email maine@dressforsuccess.org
Restaurant Open at 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays Serving breakfast all day!!
40 Washington Avenue ~ 772-0360
www.sillys.com eatatsillys@yahoo.com
Serving Lunch & Dinner Tuesday through Sunday
NEW—Check it out: Right next door!
May 13: Mothers Day Comics Arts Festival May 19-20: Maine Comics Arts Festival from 10-5 at Ocean Gateway in Portland, Come meet over 100 FMI: Casablanca Comics of Portland, mecaf. blogspot.com.
May 28: Memorial Day Celebrations Maine Senior FarmShare Do you know a low-income senior (relative, friend or neighbor) who couple benefit from $50 of FRESH, UNPROCESSED, LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE? To participate it is your responsibility to directly contact a local farmer to sign up. You can contact your local area agency on aging by calling the ELDERS-1 toll free number at 1-877-3533771 for a list of participating FarmShare Farmers,or call: 1-877-353-3771
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Property Sales on Munjoy Hill—Robust!
By Colleen Bedard
Munjoy Hill continues to be one of the “it” places to live. A recent article in the Maine Sunday Telegram listed Portland’s Munjoy Hill, Back Cove and Deering areas along with Willard Beach, South Portland, as being the area’s hottest real estate markets. As a result, sales of single family homes, condos, and multi-family properties continue to be above average for the area. The median sales price for a home in Portland is currently $205,000. (See table below for Munjoy Hill’s numbers.) Realtors agree that there are many more buyers looking for homes on the East End than there are properties for sale. We are seeing strong competition, in fact, with some properties receiving multiple offers. Walking around the East End, you will be seeing dumpsters and hearing skill saws buzzing as owners renovate and expand properties. It’s a great real estate market on Munjoy Hill—prices are up and the buyers are just waiting for your property to come on the market! Colleen Bedard lives on Munjoy Hill and is a Realtor/Broker with Townsend Real Estate.
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Portland Pottery & Metalsmithing Studio 118 Washington Ave • Portland, ME
15th Annual Teapot Show & Sale Opening Reception Thursday, May 17th 6-8pm
Show through Thursday, May 24th Registration is open to artists
Summer Camp BFFs • Creative Independence • Focus on Clay Girly Metals • Manly Metals • Glass Fusing Animal Sculpture • Fashion Forward • Potter’s Life Raku Clay for Kids• Metalsmithing & More!
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May 2012
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Weekly Camp Sessions: June 25th through August 24th Tuition $250 per week • Ages 6-14 See our website for details and registration
207-772-4334 • www.portlandpottery.com find us on facebook.com/portland.pottery
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May 2012
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Are Pedestrian Bridges Right for Franklin Street? By Markos Miller Many well-intentioned people have proposed building a pedestrian bridge over Franklin Street. Upon first consideration this may seem like a good idea, separating pedestrians from automobile traffic while creating a signature ‘gateway’ structure for cars entering the city. It has its appeal. However, a deeper consideration of this strategy and investment raises several red flags that we must consider. Pedestrian bridges are expensive. A basic concrete and steel bridge over Franklin would probably
cost over a million dollars. The kind of architecturally significant structure that gets people excited about the bridge idea could cost four to eight times this amount, based on industry standards.
result is usually a narrow cage that is neither pretty or safe. The ped-bridge over the Westbrook Arterial (Route 25), made of concrete and chain-link fence, is an example of such a bridge.
In order to be ADA compliant, this bridge would also have to a gentle slope, which means the ramps up to the bridge could stretch back a significant distance, taking up valuable real estate and creating a barrier between the north and south ends of the street. Pedestrian bridges over busy roadways are often also required to have fencing of some sort to prevent people from dropping objects onto traffic below. The
Many communities, concerned that pedestrian bridges reduce street level activity by pulling people away from the street, are opting to direct limited resources to providing high quality sidewalks, cross walks, and streetscapes at a fraction of the cost. The results create a vibrant street-level atmosphere that promotes social and economic activity. This streetlevel activity also helps to manage automobile speeds, allowing
Urban gateway. hutchnews.com; Hutchinson, Kansas
urban roadways like Franklin St. to function at maximum capacity and promoting safety for all users. The issue of safe crossings of Franklin St. and other streets will undoubtedly come up in the future. It’s important that our community fully understand
the implications of such costly investments. The most effective and efficient way to create safe streets for all users might be as simple as investing in the time proven model of the traditional city street-scape.
Green Space Gathering at EECS The Portland Parks Commission will host its third annual Green Space Gathering, a citywide forum about the City’s open spaces, Thursday evening, May 3, from to 6 to 8 pm at East End Community School. Staff from the Department of Public Services and Recreation and Facilities Management will be on hand to discuss improvements made to parks and playgrounds during the past year and highlight plans for the coming year. The meeting will also feature comments by several community partners who play vital roles in keeping Portland’s open spaces vibrant. These include:
• Barb Hagar, Spirits Alive, discussing the Eastern Cemetery Master Plan recently endorsed by the Planning Board; • Kara Wooldrik, Executive Director of Portland Trails, on her recent appointment; • Anne Pringle, Green Space Coalition, on citizen activism to preserve funding for the City’s open spaces Following these presentations, there will be a discussion period to allow attendees to ask questions of City staff and panelists and to offer comment about issues related to Portland’s open spaces.
Parks Commissions members and City staff will be available for informal discussion with members of the public prior to the presentations. In addition, several local organizations and neighborhood groups active in the City’s parks will showcase their efforts and answer questions about their work and programs. Portland Recreation will provide fun activities for children during the event so parents may participate in the conversation. Light refreshments will be served. May 3, from to 6 to 8 pm at East End Community School.
Reid’s Extreme Lemonade — Lemonade Day Maine—
Sunday, June 3, from Noon-3 PM In Front of Fuller Glass Studio • 129 Congress St