MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
1979 – 2014
M U N JOY HIL L
OBSERVER
Profit Org1 AprilNon 2014 US Postage
PAID
Portland, ME Permit No. 824
FREE • Published by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization • Vol. 34, No. 3 • April 2014
“There were just so many great things about the Hill.” By Matthew Kennedy THE FIRST TWO ARTICLES in this
series summarized the 1978 survey conducted by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Planning Project Steering Committee, setting the stage for the founding of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization in January 1979. The Survey and the MHNO were not formally linked, but many of the interests and concerns that are captured so clearly in the Survey also served as impetus for the founding of the MHNO. The two initiatives also share a key player: the Chairman of the Steering Committee, James (Jim) Price, would also serve as the MHNO’s founding President.
first on Morning Street and later on North Street. Ned and Barbara have lived on the hill since 1977; the office of Chester & Vestal, P.A., at 107 Congress Street, is an enduring and familiar landmark at the center of Munjoy Hill’s “downtown.” All three were generous not only with their time, but also with their recollections of this crux moment, when residents of the Hill took some initial, decisive steps to define, defend and improve this singular neighborhood.
THE FOUNDING OF THE MHNO PART 1
I spoke with Jim last month about those first years (those are his words in the title). I also sat down with Edwin (Ned) Chester and Barbara Vestal; both were early board members, and Ned served as the MHNO’s second President. Jim came to the Hill with his family in 1974, living
affordable housing (it was among the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland), proximity to downtown, the Prom, and the waterfront, and perhaps most important, a tightly knit, deep-rooted community that nonetheless embraced the arrival of new residents who shared their love of the Hill. “The neighborhood just looked after its own,” recalls Jim. “That’s the way Munjoy Hill was.” It was in this particular economic, urbanistic and cultural moment that the MHNO was born; and as Barbara, Ned and Jim recall, the Organization initially came together around two principal concerns.
As many know, the Hill had a decidedly unsavory reputation in the The first of these – and one exlate 1970s. “Nobody wanted to live pressed clearly in the 1979 Suron Munjoy Hill,” Ned recalls; while vey – was concern over the fate of violence wasn’t common, Congress the Hill’s four schools; falling atStreet had more than its share of tendance at the three elementary drug dealing and general loitering. schools (Emerson, Shailer, Mirada Jim’s realtor sought to discourage Adams) was a particular cause for him from even looking at a propworry. In response, neighborhood erty (soon to be his home) simply residents, including Jim Price, because it was on the Hill. But as organized Communities and all three recognized, the Hill also possessed great assets: See page 3, MHNO, THE BEGINNINGS
JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT FULL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014, 7-8:30 PM AT THE CUMMINGS CENTER, 134 CONGRESS ST • Topics will include MHNO Committee reports, and a round-table discussion about the state of our streets and sidewalks. Come share your thoughts and concerns. NEW MESSAGE BOARD AT THE MHNO! MHNO has installed a new message board in the glass-fronted display at the Hill House. For all the latest news affecting life on Munjoy Hill, check it out!
POTLUCK NIGHT at MHNO: THURSDAY, APRIL 24. Hill House at 92 congress. Come one, come all. Very Casual; Bring a dish, or not, just stop in!
The Portland Company: the Next Chapter By Markos Miller Last summer the Portland Company site was sold by long-time owner, Phineas Sprague, to Red Group, a local development firm headed up by Jim Brady. Red Group is also redeveloping the former Portland Press Building on Congress Street. This winter I had the opportunity to sit down with Jim to discuss opportunities of the site and to learn a little bit about his vision for the Portland Company property. Some of the key issues we discussed included the re-use of existing buildings, public access
to the water, mixed-use development, and traffic. Re-use of Existing Buildings The Portland Company was first established in 1846 as a locomotive foundry and has been placed in service of a range of industrial and marine uses over the decades. As the long term host of public and private events, such as the Portland Flower Show, weddings, and community organization fundraisers, it has captured the imagination of the public. Jim agreed that the rich character
of some of the buildings was one of the appeals of the property. Some of the most architecturally significant buildings are also the ones that face the most challenges, including deferred maintenance and significant weatherization needs. In an effort to draw attention to the significant needs and threats to the site, Portland Greater Landmarks placed The Portland Company property on its Places in Peril list in 2012. Jim highlighted that Red Group will prioritize the re-use of the most iconic buildings on the site,
Frances Beurkens
April Stools & Community Clean-Up Day Saturday, April 12, 9 am to Noon
HOSTED BY FRIENDS OF THE EASTERN PROMENADE AND THE MUNJOY HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION Bring your family and your friends!!! Help beautify our neighborhood and our Park in preparation for the spring and summer seasons! PARTICIPATE at the location of your choice! East End check in sites include: MHNO’s Hill House (92 Congress St - next to the old Hilltop Coffee), Cleeves Monument (top of Congress St), East End Beach and the Loring Memorial Trail. Other participating locations in the city include: Baxter Woods • Evergreen Cemetery • Ocean Ave. Dog Park • Garden Beds. You may also join us in cleaning up the perennial garden beds along the residential side of the Promenade. $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE and PRIZES given to those who find one of our infamous “Golden Turds” (one gift per person). Bags, gloves and rakes provided; feel free to bring your own if you have them. City crews will take away our collected bags of trash. Complimentary water, tea, coffee, and goodies will be available at Hill House headquarters; 92 Congress Street, beginning at 9 am. FRIENDLY REMINDER: Responsible pet ownership includes picking up after your dog, and depositing waste into a receptacle. Yes, even when using a biodegradable poop bag, you must deposit the bag into any one of the conveniently-located Big Belly bins or into a trash can! PLEASE, do NOT toss dog waste into the brush (YUCK), or into storm drains, as this contaminates the water that feeds Casco Bay! We hope to see our neighbors, dog owners, and friends from adjacent communities come out for this collaborative 22nd annual Clean-Up Day! To volunteer as a team captain for one of our locations or to represent a neighborhood/area not listed above, please email: Cami@easternpromenade.org or Diane@easternpromenade.org. Rain Date: Sunday, April 13th 9- 12pm. For more info., visit the Friends of the Eastern Promenade website, or the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization website, munjoyhill.org
“April showers bring
Help us thank our sponsors:
May flowers But your dog’s presents are less pleasant Wintry winds raid our trash bins Let’s clean today for a brighter May” —Cami Smalley
See back page, THE PORTLAND COMPANY
BUYING OR SELLING, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE.
LOVE the city?
Own a piece of it!
151 Newbury St., Portland, Me 04101 • Cell 207.465.5569 • M arc c hadbourne . coM
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April 2014
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
At the Helm
The Munjoy Hill Observer is published by the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization (MHNO) 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, Ross Fields, Tamera Edison, Caron Murray, Sarah Graulty, Lisa Peñalver
ADVERTISING Ross Fields Ross.Fields@munjoyhill.org (207) 233-4327 Tamera Edison tamera.edison@munjoyhill.org (207) 939-7998 Lisa Peñalver, Layout & Design Observer@munjoyhill.org (207) 272-5962 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 2013-14
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 Ralph Carmona............................................ 518-9177.......ralphcarmona@gmail.com Sarah Graulty.............................................. . ..............sarah.graulty@munjoyhill.org Matthew Kennedy........................................ . ....... matthew.kennedy@munjoyhill.org Caron Murray.............................................. . ............. caron.murray@munjoyhill.org Thomas Kelley............................................. . .............thomas.kelley@munjoyhill.org Joan Sheedy.....joan.sheedy@munjoyhill.org . ............................................. 774-7616 Sean Ryan Turley......................................... . ........ Sean.Ryan.Turley@munjoyhill.org
MHNO Mission
Potholes, Potlucks and Parades! Oh my! DESPITE WHAT SEEMS like a
never-ending winter out there, the MHNO is gearing up for spring and summer and we have lots going on!
Coming up first, on April 9, is our next full membership meeting, which will be held from 7-8:30 at the Cummings Center (on the second floor). We are still putting together our agenda for the evening, but some highlights include a couple of guest speakers (watch your email and Facebook for more details soon), and a round-table discussion about the general safety and condition of the streets and sidewalks on Munjoy Hill. When some of us attended the City’s informational meeting about the proposed new Saint Lawrence Arts Performance Center, we noticed that, amidst the feedback about aesthetics and parking logistics (we’ll be sharing more about the topic of parking and the SLA soon, as we are planning to hold some
MHNO President, Andrea Myhaver workshops on the subject), were some general comments about the state of our streets and sidewalks. People expressed concerns over safety and maintenance, and we think the subject warrants some more attention. We’re hoping our discussion at the Full Membership Meeting will result in some organized feedback that we can give to the City about specific areas of concern, and will also spur some ideas about tangible ways that we can all pitch in to help increase the cleanliness and safety of our neighborhood.
all work hard for a few hours ‘til noon, and then regroup at Hill House for prizes and refreshments. More information about the event is provided on the front page. The third event I want to share with you is our first monthly potluck dinner at Hill House, which will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6:30-8:30 pm. We’re planning to hold potlucks on the last Thursday of the month in the months of April, May, June, September, October, and then starting again in January. The potlucks will be completely casual. Just drop in with a dish to share, and enjoy some social time with fellow Munjoy Hillers. We hope to see you there!
While on the subject of cleanliness, I’d like to invite you all to join us for another upcoming event, April Stool’s Day and Community Clean Up on Saturday, April 12. For the second year in a row, the MHNO is teaming up with the Friends of the Eastern Promenade to host a clean-up day on Munjoy Hill. Meet us at Hill House at 9 am to branch out and spend a few hours cleaning up the parks on Munjoy Hill, OR choose a street and make that your focus. We’ll
HOME
Finally, I’m excited to announce the “big event” that we are planning to celebrate our 35th anniversary. We’re still in the beginning stages of organizing, but so far, we’ve decided that we want to hold a community event in September that will serve as a reunion of sorts
From the Editor, Lisa Peñalver
By Joseph Malia
The Calm Before the Storm
This is my home upon the hill sitting in the soft, wet grass or on the gazebo watching the bright silver blue sea,
I’M WRITING MY APRIL column
on a sunny, brisk morning in late March, a few days before the next predicted snowstorm. The ground is still frozen solid. In my mind, this winter has definitely overstayed its welcome! I have met my quota of shovel strains, ice-flops, and cold toes. As I look through issues of past April Observers, I see photos of cherry blossoms, crocuses and tulips, but on the Hill this year, these are nowhere to be seen. Yet.
The pinecones are scattered, the dogs run about, a calm wind blows, it’s so serene, It’s always the best at six-fifteen The poem above were written by Joe Malia, a student at Southern Maine Community College who lives on Hammond Street near Munjoy Hill. He is inspired by spending time on the Eastern Promenade.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!! Please, send us your ideas, inventions, & stories!
Upcoming THEMES:
• Pets • • Thrifting • • Fav Foods • • Hill History • Letters to the Editor ••• S E N D
for those that currently live on Munjoy Hill, as well as those that have may live “away” now, but still consider Munjoy Hill to be home. We’re going to start the event off with a parade that begins at the Observatory and works its way down Congress to the Eastern Promenade where there will be games, food, music, and general fun for all ages. Like I said, we’re still in the planning stages of this event, so watch for more info to come soon, and if you are interested in helping, please contact me at andrea.myhaver@munjoyhill. org. Also check out Facebook and your email for announcements about upcoming Events Committee meetings. Happy Spring!
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This present “pause” between seasons can be a time to regroup and decide where to put our energies in the coming months. It’s the time to plan for summer camps and vacations, as well as visits to relatives and friends. Plan your backyard veggie garden (be sure to let the local nurseries know you are from Munjoy Hill; we’d would love to see their ads in the Observer!)
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.
Since a trip south is not in the cards for me, I’ll just indulge in a bit of blue-sky thinking; Spring just HAS to be right round the
YOUR LET TERS AND HILL NE WS TO
corner, after all. Let’s mentally skip over the next few weeks of unpleasantness, and project ourselves to the time when snow is completely gone, the earth is warm again, and the breeze carries the sweet smells of fresh-cut lawns, lilacs, and the sea. Now I’m remembering all the upcoming activities I don’t want to miss! In addition to the MHNO/ FoEP April Stools Cleanup Day, April brings an assortment of spring festivals and Easter events, along with Spring Break for the kids. Further into Spring, we’ll have the Ebune Parade and Celebration, charity runs, outdoor concerts and the Summer Farmer’s Market at Deering Oaks Park! Come to think of it, where did I put my calendar?! I should use this seasonal lull to get organized. Life is about to get busy again!
OBSERV ER@MUNJOY HILL .ORG
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in January 1979, our purpose is to 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.
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!
756-8135 Daytimes: Janine Kaserman with Community Policing 2) 650-9005 cell: 11 am thru the night, Senior Lead Officer Jeff Druan 3) 874-8575/-8574: Dispatch/non-emergency events 1)
4) EMERGENCIES: 9-1-1 Clip and save these numbers!
ANONYMOUS CRIMES TIPS PROGRAM: Phone Tip—Dial 874-8584 | Online: tipsubmit.com Text-A-Tip: Text “GOTCHA” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES)
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
OP/ED: Don’t Get Shocked by CMP Rate Hike By Lori K. Parham, Ph.D. State Director, AARP Maine
the unreasonable profits CMP is asking for through these proposals.
RAISE YOUR VOICE BEFORE THEY RAISE YOUR RATES:
PUBLIC HEARINGS: AARP Maine calls on CMP customers to turn out and testify at public hearings scheduled by the PUC. To allow CMP customers a chance to provide feedback, two hearings have been scheduled. The first will be held in the Worster Room of the Commission’s Offices at 101 Second Street, Hallowell at on April 2, 2014 at 7 p.m. The second will be held in Room 109/110 of the Abromson Center, University of Southern Maine, 88 Bedford Street, Portland on April 3, 2014 at 7 p.m.
CONSUMERS, take a firm grip on your
wallets. Central Maine Power (CMP) is asking state regulators for a rate increase that would mean you see the fixed monthly portion of your bill double, along with other increased rates. The energy giant who delivers electricity to more than 500,000 Maine households is proposing a rate increase that AARP believes is unfair and unreasonable. The CMP proposal includes among other items: • An alternate rate plan that would not be subject to periodic, full rate case reviews by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or performance metrics. • Raising base rates for storm cost recovery while retaining the ability to go back to the PUC for even more in storm cost funds. • An unfair increase in the company’s allowed profits, plus accounting gimmicks to raise profits even higher. Maine consumers are battling a tough economy, still feeling the effects of the great recession. Many Maine seniors, a third who rely solely on Social Security for their income, already have to make tough choices each month between heating their homes, putting food on the table, and purchasing needed medications. They should not be asked to fund
The best way to fight these rate increases is to raise your voice before they raise your rates; show up in person and share your concerns.. The upcoming public hearings may be the last chance for CMP customers to have their say on this outrageous plan. Unfortunately, we know many CMP customers will not be able to drive the distance to have their voice heard. For these customers, share your FEEDBACK ONLINE at https://mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM. Public.WebUI/Comments/PublicComments.aspx?CaseNumber=2013-00168 or by writing to the Public Utilities Commission, attention Administrative Director, MPUC, 18 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. AARP is fighting for fair electric rates for our 230,000 members in Maine and their families. Bottom line: Our members – and all Maine electric customers – should only have to pay what is fair and reasonable for their utilities. To learn more about this issue, visit www.aarp.org/me.
ASK THE MONEY PROF
By Joel I. Gold
What Should I Do With My Income Tax Refund? ARE YOU GETTING A Federal and/or
State income tax refund? If so, have you decided what you will do with the money? Some folks do not take it, but use it as a credit for their 2014 Income taxes. It may be comforting to know that you have some cushion for next year, but it may not be your best strategy. For one thing, you are giving an interest-free loan to the government, and giving up the opportunity of investing those funds yourself. Sometimes a bigger paycheck during the year can help out, though knowing you are getting a refund can be psychologically rewarding as well. Let’s assume you will take the refund(s). There are several avenues you can take with the cash. Spending the money is the first option that comes to mind. Buy that computer, television, or furniture that you always wanted. Using the refund to take a vacation is a common use for the funds. Another use for the funds is to build emergency reserves. We all need some level of liquidity. I would suggest that before you randomly spend the money, broader consideration should be given. The refund, like any other source of funds received, should result in improving your quality of life over the long run, not just the near-term. I have written about financial planning, quality of life and cash as a means to fulfillment. The bigger picture is what will make you happy in the years
ahead. Reaching goals, good health, good friends and family are the important things in life. The question that you need to ask yourself: how can my refund make me happy in the long run? This may lead us to another option: saving and investing. You can take the refund and apply it to investments that will help you attain your goals. Another option is debt reduction. This becomes especially important if your net interest cost (after taxes) is higher than the net return you can earn on your income tax refund. If you find yourself with large income tax refunds, then you may be withholding too much from your paycheck. By claiming more exemptions, or having your employer take out less withholding, your paycheck will be bigger on payday. The increase in cash flow could be beneficial to you. If an income tax refund is a one-time event, then it may not be as important to plan for it. Since paying taxes is an annual activity, careful assessment of your taxes and refunds is desirable. 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.
April 2014
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Spring into Safety By Ross Fields, VP & MHNO Membership I’M SURE THAT YOU’RE anxiously await-
ing the warmer weather that spring brings. If you’re like me, you’re ready to walk freely through town without having to pick your away around snow banks, or do the “tight-rope” walk across treacherous sheets of ice. This winter has definitely given us a workout.
to the outside is plastic, replace it with a flexible metal one, NOW. Code calls for it to be metal. Here’s a link:
So, as you open up your windows, sweep the sand off your porch, put on shorts, Tshirt and walking shoes, I encourage you to handle the items on my Spring into Safety list. If you’re a renter, give this list to your landlord, requesting that these safety items get attention.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets should be located in all bathrooms, kitchen counter tops, utility sinks, garages and outdoor outlets. If not, install ASAP. Here’s a link:
SPRING INTO SAFETY CHECKLIST
��� Smoke Detectors: Test, replace battery if battery operated or for backup ____ CO Detectors: Test, replace battery if battery operated or for backup ____ Clothes Dryer Vent & Duct: Clean and remove all accumulated lint from dryer vent and the duct work. ____ GFCI electric outlets: Test by pushing the test button on each outlet. If outlet does not “trip” and reset, have it replaced. ____ GFCI breakers: Test GFCI breakers, located in electric panel. If breaker does not “trip” and reset, have it replaced. ____ AFCI breakers: Test Arc Fault breakers, located in electric panel. If breaker does not “trip” and reset, have it replaced. These items are even more important due to the close proximity of our homes and apartments here on the Hill. A functioning smoke detector will not prevent a fire, but it can give you enough time to safely get out of the building. If for any reason you have disabled a smoke detector in your home or apartment, I encourage you to put it back into service ASAP. It’s not worth the risk to have it not working. Same goes for Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors. Clothes Dryer vent and duct work – CLEAN ANNUALLY! Clothes dryer lint builds up and is a fire hazard. Also, if the flexible duct connecting your dryer
h t t p : // w w w. p r e t t y h a n d y g i r l . com/2011/11/time-to-clean-your-dryerducts-prevent-fires.html
http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/nec-requirements-ground-fault-circuit-interrupters-gfci AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) found in the breaker panel, these breakers are currently required in new construction for all bedroom branch circuits. See link for more info: http://ecmweb.com/content/applyingand-using-arc-fault-circuit-interrupters BONUS: Conservation tip and interesting fact: If you haven’t already done so, upgrade all of your lighting to Compact Fluorescent (CFL) or LED type bulbs. Did you know that Compact fluorescent bulbs use about 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs? If every household in the United States replaced one incandescent light with a CFL, it would save enough energy to light 300 million homes for an entire year. It would also eliminate about 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is roughly the amount emitted by 80,000 cars. That’s just one bulb replacement. What if you replaced all of your bulbs? NOTE ON DISPOSAL: Remember, like
rechargeable batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs need to be disposed of properly and not just tossed into the household trash. Most hardware and home supply stores will take used CFL’s for proper disposal. Here is Maine’s link on what to do: http://www.maine.gov/dep/homeowner/ fluorescent.html Have fun, be safe, and help reduce Portland’s carbon footprint.
MHNO: the Beginnings, Schools Together (CAST), an organization dedicated to keeping the neighborhood schools open and keeping quality high. Many of the neighbors who would later play roles in forming the MHNO, both long-term residents and relative newcomers, first met at meetings of CAST. (Jim also formed the Survey Steering Committee largely of CAST participants.) The preservation of the schools would in turn be an early MHNO objective. Coming in May: The Founding of the MHNO, Part 2: Gentrification
from front page
Help us fill some gaps in our archive! We are looking for issues of the Observer prior to December 1980. If you have any of these early issues we’d love to hear from you! We’d be happy to scan them and return your originals. Thank you! Were you involved with MHNO in the early years? Do you have stories to tell? If so, we want to hear from you! Please email me at matthew.kennedy@ munjoyhill.org or call me at 207370-1446.
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April 2014
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER justinalfond.com
CAPITAL CITY
MaineCare Expansion Badly Needed MAINER’S WILL BE HURT BY COVERAGE DENIED SINCE THE SUMMER of 2012, there has been an ongoing debate in Maine as to whether or not we should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and expand access to health care to 70,000 low-income Mainers. The people who would receive health care under expansion are our hard-working friends and neighbors. They bag groceries, they take care of the elderly; they run small businesses, and about 3,000 of them are veterans who have served our country.
Relying on emergency room care also increases the cost of health care, because if someone is uninsured and can’t pay the bill, then it will increase so-called charity care costs. That’s one reason business leaders from across the state have joined with the Maine Hospital Association, the Maine Medical Association, and the Maine Primary Care Association in supporting healthcare expansion as an important part of keeping healthcare costs down.
All of these Mainers work hard, but don’t have health coverage. They make too much to qualify for MaineCare now, and not enough to afford it on their own.
There are also significant economic benefits to expansion. Healthcare expansion would generate at least $250 million in additional economic activity and create thousands of jobs, including more than 800 jobs right here in Cumberland County.
In spite of the ongoing political debate in Augusta, most Mainers, regardless of political party, consistently support expansion. A recent poll shows that 62% of Mainers want to expand access to affordable health care to our friends and neighbors.
Unfortunately, although the Affordable Care Act has been a major economic boon for the state, creating thousands of jobs, and providing tens of thousands of low-income Mainers with health care, the Republicans in the House and Senate have largely sided with Governor LePage and opposed expansion.
Mainers from Portland and across the state have contacted me urging me to fight for expanding health care--noting that supporting expansion is the right thing to do, both morally and economically.
Even after two of my Republican colleagues offered a compromise bill to address Republican concerns, most Republicans still refused to support the bill, and the measure did not receive the necessary two-thirds of support to override Governor LePage’s expected veto.
The cost of delivering health care is increasing every year, and is rising much faster than Maine wages. And to that end, we must look at strategies to keep healthcare costs down. One proven method is increasing preventative care. But without health insurance, it can be hard to afford preventative care, including doctor’s appointments. Unfortunately, that leads to many uninsured Mainers relying on the emergency room for medical care--often times once a condition has worsened.
It is important for all legislators to work together to solve these issues, not to silo ourselves and refuse to compromise. But this is not an issue Democrats will give up on. No one should be denied the care they need when they need it; it’s too important to Maine people. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to reach me at Justin@JustinAlfond.com.
EAST END Business Focus Lolita is coming to the Hill! IN MAINE MAGAZINE’S EAT feature, March 2011, our own
Bar Lola was listed first in their article, “Thirty-One Number Ones”. Known for its cordial service, brilliant cocktails, original dishes prepared with locally sourced meats and vegetables, tasting menus paired with delicious wines, and its four-seat bar, Bar Lola was a Portland favorite and doing better than ever when it closed November 16, 2013. But fear not, Lolita is coming! Your hosts, Guy and Stella Hernandez, who also own Hilltop Coffee, another local favorite, moved their coffee shop to the Bar Lola location and are currently, with their partner, Neil Reiter, building Lolita in the 90 Congress location where Hilltop Coffee once stood. Stella Hernandez was wonderful to spend time with me and answer some questions I had about the new restaurant. Caron: Where did the Lola/Lolita theme come from? Both names conjure passion and heat.
Stella: The ‘Lola’ of Bar Lola had several influences. Primarily, it came from the word for ‘grandmother’ in the Philippines, where Guy’s father was born. Our love of food and the traditions that surround it came from our families, so it felt appropriate. Guy called his grandmother ‘Lola’ and our son calls Stella’s mother ‘Lola.’ But Lola is also a Kinks song and a character in the musical Damn Yankees (“Whatever Lola Wants…”) We liked the ambiguity. Caron: Yes, “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets”! Both that and the Kinks song are among my favorites! Stella: Lolita did not come to us at first. Our partner, Neil Reiter, suggested it because it felt like a natural progression. We don’t want people to get too caught up in the Lola connection though because this restaurant will be very different, but it’s fun to wonder: is she Lola’s alter-ego, her racier sister? Who knows? She’s more impetuous, more casual. Caron: What was the impetus that inspired you and Guy to reach from backgrounds in architecture to being among the top restaurateurs in Portland? It comes across in the warm feel and ambiance of your spaces so it is certainly part of what you are doing, but can you elaborate? Stella: Our transition from architecture wasn’t linear. We both had a lifelong interest in food and hospitality. We grew up in homes and cultures where these were central to any sense of
By Caron Murray
well-being. Guy, in particular, also had an interest in professional cooking – not just cooking at home. When we moved to Maine, he left a position at Washington University, where he’d been for seven years. That left an opening – an opportunity to pursue this interest. He started out baking with Josh Potocki and Allison Reid at One Fifty-Eight just after they opened. Then, a rare opportunity came up to purchase the building at 100 Congress, in a neighborhood we lived in and loved, so we jumped on it and opened the restaurant years before we thought we would be able. A core driver was working together. Guy and I have known each other for almost 30 years. We like working together and creating things, and this was a perfect fit. Now we embark on a new phase with the opening of Lolita. For this project we are working with Lauren Reiter; she is our business partner Neil’s wife and an established architect/designer. When we open our doors and reveal the design of this 800+ sq ft space you’ll be amazed. It’s a warm and yet modern design, focused on comfort and a casual feel which is appropriate for Lolita, and which can be hard to accomplish, but we feel she’s succeeded. The restaurant business has many similarities to architecture; this is a craft; it’s detail-oriented, precise and simultaneously soulful all at the same time. We’re glad to hear that our background in design comes through in the space we created at Bar Lola and now at Hilltop Coffee (which is housed in the old Bar Lola space.) We look forward to sharing our new look in Lolita. Caron: Is there a particular anecdote relating to your foray into this business you’d like to share? Stella: Catering almost made us both think we would never work in this industry. Brutal! The only other thing I can think of is that when we opened Bar Lola, we had so little industry experience that we almost couldn’t get an insurance company to cover us! Who would have thought then that Bar Lola would be open for over seven years and that we’d be on to Lolita! We are grateful for the support of our partner in this venture, Neil, and of course the design skills of his wife, Lauren. Together we are a very strong team. Caron: Will there be a view of the kitchen from the bar? Are there also tables that can be reserved? Stella: Yes! Diners will have views into our kitchen from both
FRANKLIN ST. REDESIGN
CALL FOR FEEDBACK
By Sam Cohen
IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, our city has been feasting on a bona fide development dinner. One heaping portion of Midtown, with a peppering of condos. But what will our city’s top planning chefs serve next? And how much, say, will be allotted to the good folks doing the eating? As Phase Two of the Franklin St. Redesign moves forward, there is still an opportunity for Portland residents to contribute ideas, offer feedback and shape the future of a significant slice of peninsula. In January, a public meeting was held at the library to present a new vision for Franklin as a result of a redesign study that’s been in the works on some level since 2006. Collaboration and ideas from the public were accepted and encouraged in a workshop setting. Attendees of the India St. Neighborhood open house from a year ago would be familiar with the format - stations surrounding the Rines Auditorium housed posters and informational material for the manifold aspects of the proposed redesign. The plan hinges on three possible street design concepts - the urban street, the multi-way boulevard, and the urban parkway. Attendees placed green or red stickers next to the ideas they liked or disliked, respectively. They also posted notes with more thorough feedback alongside the images of the proposed concepts. Discussion was facilitated by members of a citywide public advisory committee (full disclosure: I am the MHNO representative of this committee), who were spread out amongst the stations. At this stage of the process none of the three concepts are in stone, which is why all the feedback was, and continues to be, so critical. Ideas that work will be thrown together for the best possible outcome. The workshop gave people a chance to make an attempt at righting the wrongs of a street with a problematic history. Franklin’s oversized footprint is all thanks to the misguided conceptions of Victor Gruen, the “father” of strip-mall design. When it was built in the late ‘60s, the Arterial effectively destroyed immigrant and ethnic communities by demolishing buildings, and severing direct access to downtown. This new redesign plan will be more of a return to the original Franklin St., but with incorporations of contemporary design and more varied usage types in mind. These three concepts attempt to make more efficient use of the space, to free up new land for development, and to fit the realities of how people actually use Franklin and the surrounding streets. It also creates the potential for restoring Lincoln Park to its original size. The number of bikers, bus riders and walkers are steadily increasing in Portland and there is a real need to provide the infrastructure to support them. A great example is East Bayside. That neighborhood has seen increases in population, yet the traffic levels have remained steady, and in some cases diminished. This is telling of a neighborhood and City where walkability is not just a popular selling point, but a way of life. On March 20, the City’s Department of Public Services hosted a meeting to discuss a re-visioning of Anderson Street. Dubbed, The Anderson St. Neighborhood Byway, topics on the table included a redesign of the Fox-Anderson intersection, greening the storm water system and making improvements to walking and biking conditions. As this moves forward, along with potential changes to India St. and Franklin, the ‘moat’ at the bottom of the Hill could eventually become a fully robust urban hub. For those who missed the January workshop, there is still a chance to contribute ideas online at Franklin’s Mindmixer page (franklinstreet. mindmixer.com). I encourage everyone to get involved. We’re all regulars in this Portland restaurant; let’s dine with thoughtfulness.
the dining room and the bar – it’s something we’re very excited about. They will also have a full view of our custom wood-fired grill, which is the heart of the space. We will take some reservations but we’ll also have a balance of walk-in tables. We want to encourage people to stop in anytime – it doesn’t have to be a planned event. Caron: I read in another article that this restaurant will have more of a drop-in feel. Although I was fascinated with Bar Lola, my husband and I never ventured in before being invited by friends. I’m not sure why, but I like the idea of it being more of a bar and yet having fantastic food. Stella: We are definitely creating a more casual, neighborhood environment. Lolita will be open continuously from late morning into the evening, and you’ll be able to stop in any time. Bar Lola was a place where diners would come for a more traditional dining experience, whereas Lolita encourages folks to drop in, day or night – for a few bites and a glass of wine, or a full meal – whichever works for your current mood. We’ll have a beautiful, long zinc bar as well as cozy banquette seating. Caron: It sounds terrific; I can’t wait! Besides the fact you are both amazing cooks and hosts, what else would you like the Munjoy Hill community to know about Stella and Guy Hernandez? Stella: Thanks for asking! Guy and I love living on Munjoy Hill. That came first – before Bar Lola, before Lolita. It has been the perfect place to raise our family and to build our lives. We drove around for two years looking for the right house, and feel like it’s the perfect fit for us. We love walking everywhere; our son’s school, the coffee shop and restaurant are all within blocks of our house. We’re a pretty laid back family - we love to work on our house (although we can’t keep up!), ride our bikes, walk on the prom, and smell the salt air. Note: Lolita is opening mid-May, 2014, at 90 Congress Street!
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
April 2014
THE MUNJOY HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION Observer Submission Deadlines: To submit your letter, article or ad into the next month’s issue of the Observer, please send it to us by the 15th of each month. If you do not receive a reply (you should), please follow up with a phone call to our Editor, Lisa Peñalver at 207-766-5077.
OPEN Meetings!! The MHNO Board meets every second Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Hill House at 92 Congress St.
Everyone’s Welcome!
CHECK OUT OUR NEW SIGN BOARD! MHNO FULL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: WED, APRIL 9, 7 to 8:30 PM at the Cummings Center, 134 Congress St • Topics will include reports from the Portland Food Co-Op, news from the Portland Observatory, and MHNO Committee reports.
APRIL STOOLS & COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY: SAT, APRIL 12, 9 am to Noon at the Eastern Promenade and all over Munjoy Hill. See front page for details.
Email info@munjoyhill.org. Show your neighborhood pride! MUNJOY HILL T-SHIRTS are available: S-XL: $18, XXXL: $18. 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.
POTLUCK NIGHT AT MHNO: THUR, APRIL 24, Hill House at 92 Congress. Come one, come all. Very casual; Bring a dish, or not, just stop in! Monthly Potluck event.
Follow the Franklin Street redesign process! Go online to franklinstreet.mindmixer.com Join the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization
Volunteer with the MHNO You can make a difference! The MHNO has a number of active committees. 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.
Membership and Events Membership Committee oversees the expansion, maintenance and involvement of members; also coordinates and implements all MHNO sponsored events such as quarterly and annual meetings, Membership & Events - Co-chairs: Ross Fields and Andrea Myhaver - contact ross.fields@munjoyhill.org
Services Committee 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. Services Chair: Elaine Mullin - contact elaine.mullin@ munjoyhill.org
Communications Committee MHNO’s new Communications Committee is responsible for identifying and monitoring sources of information of potential relevance to residents of Munjoy Hill; for coordinating the distribution of such information via channels such as email, the MHNO website (munjoyhill.org), Facebook, and the Hill House marquee; and for overseeing other sorts of communication between the MHNO and the larger community. Chair
NEW MEMBERSHIP
RENEWAL
of this committee is Matthew Kennedy (matthew.kennedy@munjoyhill.org).
Name(s)_____________________________________________________________
Safe & Livable Neighborhood Committee The SLN 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).
City________________________________________State_______ Zip___________
Chair of this committee is Sam Cohen: sam.cohen@ munjoyhill.org
The Observer Committee The Observer Committee provides oversight to the MHNO’s monthly newspaper, the Munjoy Hill Observer. Chair: Andrea Myhaver Contact andrea.myhaver@ munjoyhill.org
Street Address________________________________________________________ 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 Communications Services Safe & Livable 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! 04/2014
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MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Take Me Away...to the Emerald Isles THIS FALL, MUNJOY HILL resident and
former MHNO Board member, Ann Quinlan, will host another small group (max.12 ) on an 11-day private Spiral Journey to her native Ireland, September 1929-2014. Unpacking only once, guests are based at the famed Ashley Park House, a Lower Shannon, 75 acre, Eighteenth Century Irish Manor House and bird sanctuary. Traveling daily by private coach, Ann’s itinerary includes trips throughout
the region. Following dinner, evenings will include fireside music, storytelling, and local historians. Founded by Ann in 1988, Spiral Journeys draws travelers from across USA. While this journey is filling quickly, a few openings remain; registration is free and simple, at http://www.spiraljourneys.com or call Ann at 207-899-2606.
KNOW YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR! By Mike Thompson, Captain, Munjoy Hill Fire Station Why should you have a working smoke alarm? A properly installed and
maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
What types of smoke alarms are available? Smoke alarms fall under two
basic types: IONIZATION and PHOTOELECTRIC. City of Portland Code of Ordinances requires smoke alarms installed in multi-family apartment buildings and homes under new construction or renovation in the City of Portland to be photo-
electric type detectors. There are also alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.
What powers a smoke alarm? Smoke
alarms are powered by battery, hardwired into the home’s electrical system, or a combination hard wired with a battery back-up. Battery operated detectors run on either a disposable 9-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium battery. Hardwired alarms with battery back-up usually have a 9-volt battery that may need to be replaced. These batteries must be tested on a regular basis and, in most cases, should be replaced twice each year.
Where should smoke alarms be installed? Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night
or early in the morning, so the U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manu-
facturer’s installation instructions. Hardwired smoke alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician.
For local fire safety information, visit the City site at http://www.portlandmaine. gov/fire/
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
CROSSWORD
observer ad.indd 1
ACROSS
1 Daytime snooze 4 Largest city in Nebraska 9 Take apart 13 Margarine 15 Remedies 16 Geek 17 Cleanse 18 Ridge on a shoe sole 19 Noggin 20 Stir up; excite 22 Fine __; music, sculpture, etc. 23 Fumbler’s word 24 Galloped 26 Like peanut butter that’s not chunky 29 Big parties
FOR RELEASE MARCH 17, 2014
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle
104 Washington Avenue • Portland, Maine 04101 • (207) 773-8198 mikerand@maine.rr.com
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
http://www.freep.com/dailycommuter Solution on Page 8 9/18/2009 8:37:35 AM
34 Deserves 35 Treasure __ 36 Van Winkle of fiction 37 Eras 38 Actor __ Gable 39 Chevrolet of past decades 40 1/60 of a min. 41 Rains heavily 42 Recluse 43 Highly respected 45 Cool dessert 46 Chatter 47 Dishonest one 48 News, for short 51 About to occur 56 Neighbor of Algeria 57 Unsuspecting; innocent
58 Mild-tasting fish 60 Eskimo __; ice cream treats 61 Go into 62 Drag 63 Bench board 64 Great buys 65 Skirt’s edge DOWN 1 At this time 2 “Woe is me!” 3 Nuisance 4 Dwell in 5 __ over; contemplates 6 Vicinity 7 Warmth 8 Star on a PC keyboard 9 Let go of 10 __-do-well;
bum 11 “Phooey!” 12 Likelihood 14 Buckeye State residents 21 Many PTA members 25 Crawling bug 26 Discontinue 27 Hits the ceiling 28 Standing straight 29 Glass fragment 30 His and __ 31 Actor Jeremy 32 __ in; concedes 33 __ tire; item in a car trunk 35 Classic board game 38 Blended together
ACROSS 139Daytime Feed 41snooze Pod veggie 4 Largest city in 42Nebraska Washerful 44 Pompous 9 Take apart one 1345Margarine Ore seekers 1547Remedies On the __; 16 Geek honest 17 Cleanse Little on rascals 1848Ridge a 49shoe Hammer’s sole 19target Noggin 2050Stir up;biting excite Tiny bug 22 Fine __; music, 52sculpture, Lion’s neck hair etc. Pocket bread 2353Fumbler’s word 2454Galloped Ark builder 2655Like peanut Adhesive butter that’s not 59chunky Shade tree 29 Big parties 34 Deserves 35 Treasure __ 36 Van Winkle of fiction 37 Eras 38 Actor __ Gable 39 Chevrolet of past decades 40 1/60 of a min. 41 Rains heavily
The Daily Commuter Puzzle by Jacqueline E. Mathews 4 Dwell in 5 __ over; contemplates
Saturday’s Puzzle Solved
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
April 2014
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April 2014
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
FOR RELEASE MARCH 18, 2014
GROWINGTOGETHER THE Daily Commuter Puzzle TIPS
ON
PARENTING
&
R EL AT I O NSH I PS
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
By Ross Fields, CPE & Kathleen Fields, CPE
ACROSS 1 Massachusetts’ __ Cod 5 Actor Edward 10 Resting upon I am ready to now. 14 cooperate Ran up a tab You can count15onMilan’s me. I am just nation all smiles and16 feelFinished so good about 17 Cylindrical myself.” Probably not. A child, containers not wanting to suffer embarrass18 Hollow talk; ment or humiliation, may beinsincere words come an approval junkie, vote giving 20 Certain up a big part of who he or she is 21 Forest tree in order to please others. Doship you 22 Refueling 23 Use one’s head know any approval junkies? 25 Faux __; social Giving up the useblunder of punishment and reward doesn’t mean that 26 Malaysian your household becomes a lawwraparound 28 Woods less jungle. It just means that you Accumulate learn how to 31 come together to 32 Hay create and agree uponbundles the rules 34 Foot digit that all can live with. There will 36 Ceremony always be conflict that can effec37 __ mignon; tively be solved without resortslice of beef ing to punishment reward. 38 “__ or Here to Eternity” We’re all more willing to follow 39helped Grow establish. older rules that we’ve 40 Destined In the May edition of Growing 41 Kingdom Together, we’ll42explain Hatefulwhat to 44punishment, Woman’s bow use in place of rebeforethen, royalty ward or bribe. Until we 45 Put the have an assignment for kibosh you. If on you’re currently using corporal 46 Winnie-thepunishment, we ask you creator to just Pooh’s put that aside47for now. and In a badIfmood when the urge arises, remove 50 Run fast 51 “__ Little yourself from the Along, situation. Dogies”to calm Give yourself a moment 54 Allowed byand law down. Once calm, go back 57 Conceal just simply state that you need 58 Corncobs to work through the off problem, 59 Fight 60 __ of Wight 61 Worry 62 Doorway 63 Flower stalk
Punishment, Reward, Bribe: What do they really teach? ONE OF THE TOUGHEST topics we work with is that of asking parents to eliminate punishment, reward or a bribe as disciplinary tools in raising their children. Do any of these sound familiar? “Why wouldn’t I use punishment and reward? My parents used it, and I turned out just fine.” “How are they going to learn if I don’t ground them or take their stuff away?” “Hey, I knew exactly what I did wrong and I deserved my punishment.” “I give my kids $100 for every A on their report card. Now that’s motivation!” “As long as you’re under my roof, this is how it is.” “Spanking is not abuse.” The use of corporal punishment is never an option. We can’t think of a single circumstance where a child’s learning ability or experience is enhanced by being physically struck. Enough said. Punishment erodes self-worth and limits your child’s character. Punishment and reward, or the
use of a bribe, are not effective tools for developing your child’s sense of responsibility, internal motivation, and personal accomplishment, which any parent would want for their child. A punishment or reward does create the illusion of correcting a behavior, but only in the short term. Eventually, you won’t be able to come up with a punishment that is severe enough, a reward valuable enough, or a bribe enticing enough to change the behavior that has now become a habit. Punishment creates resistance and the desire for revenge or getting even, not cooperation. The use of reward slowly strips away the desire to create and succeed. If you want your children to be dependent on someone else for their happiness, for their direction in life, then by all means, keep using punishment and reward to control their behavior. The question is: what happens when no one is around to administer the proper punishment or dole out a just reward? Think about the last time you were humiliated or treated unfairly, punished or didn’t receive a just reward. Did you feel like, “OK, wow, I deserved it. Thanks.
DOWN 1 __-Cola 2 Take __; subtract 3 Seeped into 4 Koch & Begley
calmly, and come up with a solution that works for both of you. We know this sounds simplified. The main thing is stopping and calming down before proceeding. You can do this. It will be worth it.
Source: parentsguideline.com
Ross & Kathleen Fields are Certified Parenting Educators (CPE) and, co-founders of Results Parenting, LLC, www. resultsparenting.com.
Next, we want you to create a list of the instances where you use punishment or reward/ bribe in disciplining your child. Awareness is a powerful tool. Then, in May, as promised, Find crossword puzzle on page 6 Monday’s Puzzle Solved we will discuss ef5 Sick fective alternatives. 6 Smell terrible Thank you for your 7 Back of willingness tothe take neck a look at doing it 8 Rail systems in differently, to parsome cities enting deliberately. 9 Bread for a Reuben And, as always, 10 Give counsel to with patience, edu11 Work hard cation, 12 Inand the practice, past you will become 13 One’s equal a more confident and 19 Laughs loudly 21 Brooches effective parent. 24 Rubber tube It’s about the 25ALL Wordsworth or relationship. Longfellow 26 Actress Gilbert (c) 2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 27 Pedro’s friend All Rights Reserved. 28 Escaped 48 Bring up, as 40 __ upon; force 29 Expert planner children to accept 30 Screwdrivers 49 Villain 41 Regulation and wrenches 50 Engrossed 43 __ on; demand 32 Drill tips 52 Doing nothing 44 Actress Tyson 33 Pub beverage 53 Abound 35 TV show award 46 Alma __; one’s 55 Wrath old school 37 Imitation 56 Fellows 47 Treble __; 38 Plant with musical symbol 57 __ and hers fronds
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
Gardener’s Dirt
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Masters of the Garden Arts By Nini Mc Mamany
Flower Show may have noticed the garden advice booth and children’s exploration area on the second floor. Both were staffed by Cumberland County Master Gardeners, a corps of over 200 volunteers who work throughout the year on projects to improve the quality of life for Cumberland County residents. Part of a national program coordinated by Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardeners complete a three month training program and provide volunteer help on a wide variety of projects throughout the County.
and supporting environmentally sustainable gardening. A member of the Master Gardener Class of 2011, he helps cut back invasive plants on the Eastern Promenade and on Little Chebeague Island. He also joins the occasional weeding parties at the Yardscaping Gardens in Back Cove, and told us “I think I’m going to add Tidewater this year”. Tidewater Farm is a demonstration and teaching garden run by Cumberland County Extension in Falmouth. For Handley, who lives in a condo, being a Master Gardener gives him the opportunity to garden on a larger scale.
Munjoy Hill resident, Eric Handley, is an active Master Gardener volunteer, with a passion for eliminating invasive species
Once Master Gardeners complete their training, they are invited to join various volunteer efforts and must complete
VISITORS TO THE PORTLAND
a minimum of hours every year to retain their Master Gardener titles and coveted discount card, at local garden centers. Current program priorities, according to Master Gardener coordinator, Amy Witt, are growing food for the county’s Harvest for the Hungry program, maintaining environmentally sustainable demonstration gardens like Back Cove and Tidewater Farms, providing garden support to elderly and disabled gardeners through the Garden Angel program, and working on approved local projects such as community gardens. Master Gardeners have a wide variety of talents and interests, including flower arranging, vegetables and fruit trees, gardening with children, farmers’ markets,
SCHOOL NEWS Calendar 2014 WED-SUN, APRIL 2-6, 2014 Portland Children’s Film Festival, an East End Community School www. portlandchildrensfilmfestival.com
SPRING BREAK:
April 21-25
Portland Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) The film festival was conceived and organized by EECS parents and teachers who believe in the value of bringing community together to celebrate film. The festival is intended to connect Maine children and families to people within their own cultures and communities, as well as expand the worldviews of all attendees. WHO: All ages. The PCFF is for everyone!
Children are welcome and celebrated, but not required.
and ornamental gardens. The 2011 memorial garden next to the Portland House at Fort Allen Park was a Master Gardener project, and Master Gardeners are active in the community garden on North Street. Acceptance in the training program is competitive, and while applicants need not be expert gardeners before they become Master Gardeners, they should demonstrate a commitment to volunteer work. Applications will be sent out in September for next year’s class, and Amy Witt encourages interested gardeners to email her at amy. witt@maine.edu to be added to the mailing list.
For info about the EECS PTO and upcoming events, go to www.eecs.portlandpto.org or contact board@eecs.portlandpto.org.
creative films; discussion groups; and film-related events.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 through
Sunday, April 6, 2014
WHERE: Venues throughout Portland, in-
cluding the Nickelodeon Cinemas, Portland Public Library, University of Southern Maine, East End Community School, and Space Gallery
FILMS: Programming for this year’s fes-
tival includes a “One City-One Book-One Film” event. The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. The PCFF, in collaboration with Portland Public Schools and the Portland Public Library, bring you Christopher Paul Curtis’ award-winning THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM- 1963. Students, parents, teachers, and community members of all ages are invited to embrace the civil rights movement and this shared reading and film experience. Saturday, April 5, 2014, 2 pm at Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square. Suggested donation $5.
Also showing during the festival: APPROVED FOR ADOPTION-the filmmak-
er uses animation to tell a story, resulting in a memoir like no other: clear-eyed and unflinching, humorous and wry, and above all, inspiring in the capacity of the human heart. French with English subtitles. Sunday, April 6, 2014, 12:45pm at the Nickelodeon, 1 Temple Street. $5 WADJDA-tells the story of a girl who com-
petes in a Quran recitation contest in order to win money to purchase a bike; despite the fact that women are not allowed to ride bikes. Arabic with English subtitles. Sunday, April 6, 2014, 3pm at Space Gallery, 538 Congress Street. $10 IMBA MEANS SING - an independent
documentary feature film following the journey of 20 Ugandan children from the slums of Uganda to the United States, Canada, the U.K. and back again, performing as the Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir (who recently visited East End Community School!).
SPRING CLEAN-UP RESOURCES: Free for Thee! FREE COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING DAY
From www.veryfreesudoku.com
le 15
7 4 3 4 6 9 5
7
9 6 8 2
3 1 7 8 4 5 6
5 2
2 5
9 7
Writer Nini Mc Manamy has worked for several years at O’Donal’s Nursery. She is a master gardener with a garden design and consultation business, Gardener’s Dirt (ninimaine@ aol.com)
East End Community School Parent Teacher Organization
WHAT: High-quality, stimulating, and
ate Sudoku Puzzles - Book 10
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April 2014
Saturday April 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., USM Woodbury Center parking lot off Bedford Street. You can drop off tv’s,computers, monitors, printers, stereo’s, cell phones, and other household electronic waste which will be taken taken to a local recycling facility for FREE. Please note: This year, the program will also accept refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers, as well as microwaves (at no charge). All communities are welcome to participate. You do not need to be a Portland resident to participate. (Refrigerant items typically cost more than $25 for proper disposal.) City of Portland FREE “TAG IT” ITEM PICK UP Starts April 1st (goes through November). All Portland residents, renters included, are allotted 10 free stickers for 10 free small item
pickups. Items must weigh less than 30 pounds, not fit in a bag. Examples of eligible items: kitchen chair, coffee table, small cabinet, doll house, crib mattress, computer chair. Items required by law to be recycled are not accepted. Tags are applied for on line and mailed. Persons without computer internet access can call Suzanne Hunt at 756-8166 for assistance. The Web Site is publicworks. portlandmaine.gov
FREECYCLE .ORG is a great way to receive and give items. This local internet site has two lists, one for offers and one for wants. Today’s items range from a small piano to children’s toys. The Portland Free Cycle group can be located online at https://groups.freecycle.org/ group/PortlandME/posts/all. This is a great way to reuse items and create community and protect the environment.
This unique film is shot and told from the perspectives of the children as they earn an elite education for themselves, educational access for their siblings, and food and provision for their families for years to come. See footage from the documentary and join the discussion with the awardwinning humanitarian journalist and filmmaker, Erin Levin. Saturday, April 5, 2014, 12pm at Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square. Free Bravo! The 2014 submissions to the PCFF Young Filmmakers’ Contest do not disappoint! Winning films will be screened Sunday, April 6, 2014, 10:15 and 11:30am at The Nickelodeon Cinema, 1 Temple Street. $5 For a complete listing of films and to purchase tickets, go to www.portlandchildrensfilmfestival.com.
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April 2014
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
ILAP’s 10th Annual CeleSoiree
Friday April 4, from 6 to 9 PM, Keynote: Elizabeth Strout, Where: Abromson Center, USM, 88 Bedford St., Portland. Hosted by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) --10th annual celebration of immigration through the arts. This year, join us for Pultizer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout, plus fabulous music, dance, and an art sale. See http://www.ilapmaine.org/celesoiree.html
Language, Culture and Identity of New Americans-Conference
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
St. Lawrence Arts
Your neighborhood arts venue is at 76 Congress Street, stlawrencearts.org, 347-7177
Port Veritas Spoken Word
Poetry Readings, every Tuesday 7-10 pm, The Portland Public Schools’ Multilin@ Bull Feeney’s 375 Fore St. - 7:30-10pm / gual and Multicultural Center presents a All Ages, FMI: Gil Helmick, 400-7543. regional conference, “Language, Culture and Identity,” on THURS, APRIL 17 at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Know an interesting garden space, precampus. The full-day conference is decious window nook, porch planters or signed for educators, administrators, sersidewalk landscapes on the Hill? Friends vice providers and others interested in the of the Eastern Promenade seeks gardens language acquisition, academic achievefor the Hidden Gardens of Munjoy Hill 2014 ment and socio-cultural and emotional tour! Email info@easternpromenade.org. well-being of new Americans. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. FMI, http://www. PERSONAL TRAINING EXPERIENCE portlandschools.org/ 4 Small Group schools/multiTraining Sessions lingual/events/ language. Unlimited classes html.
Calling All Munjoy Hill Gardeners!
THE BODY ARCHITECT
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Earth Day 2014, Tuesday, April 22
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You can support the Observer with your advertisements! Email us at: Observer@munjoyhill.org
Comparison Puzzle-by OutherebyGeorge.com. See if you can find the six differences
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
April 2014
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The Great Maine Bike Swap,
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FULL MOON HEALING CHANT Mon, April 14
Live at both Kashi and Trika Houses, Healing Chant held in South Portland, ME at 7pm, (and at 6:30 in Portland, OR) Every full moon, Jaya Kula students gather to chant the Ma ha mr t yunjaya mantra. This mantra is the greatest healing mantra in the Vedic tradition, and has been used for thousands of years FMI: 207) 358-0121, info@ jayakula.org
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Sunday April 27 in Portland Hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Buy or sell. The Portland Swap will be held from 10am-1pm on Sunday, April 27th, USM Sullivan Sports Complex, with bike dropoff on Saturday, April 26th. Admission to the event is $3. http://www.bikemaine.org/ coalition-news/find-a-sweet-ride-at-thegreat-maine-bike-swaps-in-orono-andportland-mainetoday-com
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Table Tennis/Ping Pong Drop-In Program at EECS This Portland Recreation program is open to adults 18+. We have 5 tables at East End Community School and are trying to build this new program! Where: East End Community School, Cafeteria. When: Every Wednesday, 6 pm - 9:30pm; Cost: $2 Resident, $3 Non Resident. We have paddles that people can use! Please feel free to give me a call at 773-8222, or email with questions: Peter Gerard, email: PTG@portlandmaine.gov.
Multimedia Live Onstage
April 2 ~13
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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 April 25th, 2014
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April 2014
MUNJOY HILL OBSERVER
The Portland Company
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but that some of the buildings of lesser historical significance will be redeveloped. Public Access to the Water’s Edge Every public input process involving the waterfront that I have ever attended has presented two stark choices: chain-linked fencing and parking on the water’s edge, or direct public access. We are blessed by some incredible public access to the water, but a stroll along the waterfront quickly reveals many places where the lesser of the choices is still the status quo. Jim hopes that the Red Group project will increase public access to the water. Some ideas we explored included finding ways to push the Eastern Prom trail out to the water’s edge where it currently crosses Portland Company property. Jim, who had an earlier career as an Olympic sailor with developer, Kevin Mahaney, of the Olympia Com-
panies, also sits on the board of Sail Maine, which is on the waterfront at this location. Jim’s vision includes moving the Sail Maine facilities one site to the west as a first step to establishing a community maritime facility focused on education and recreation for residents and visitors. This site, referred to as the Amethyst lot, is owned by the city of Portland, and was eyed back in 2010 for a potential 200 slip marina. Portland Yacht Services is expected to move further west to Sprague’s new property on West Commercial Street. Meanwhile, Red Group is engaging a marina development firm of international standing to create a plan for a marina along its property’s edge. Mixed-Use Development A vibrant, year-round, mixed-use program is fundamental to Jim’s vision for the site. This means a mix of housing, commercial, and other uses that together create a district where people are always out, and the
The members of Saint Paul’s Church welcome the people of Munjoy Hill and East Bayside to our Lenten Services.
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SERVICES OF QUIET WORSHIP that help us talk with God.
◆ Fridays at 5:30- Stations of the Cross and Benediction
◆ Holy Thursday, April 17 – 5:30 ◆ Good Friday, April 16 – Noon to 3 PM
SERVICES OF CELEBRATION for the victory of Jesus Christ
◆ Palm Sunday, April 13 – 8 and 10:30 ◆ EASTER SUNDAY, April 20 – 8 and 10:30
SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH ◆ ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AMERICA 279 CONGRESS ST. AT LOCUST ST. ◆ 207.828.2012
‘public realm’ is actively used on an ongoing basis. Jim spoke about creating a neighborhood feel here. Such activity is what many of us expect in an urban setting; a vibrant street-life creates community. I added that creating diverse housing types also encourages the diversity in community that our city thrives on. Traffic and the Street Grid Jim seemed well aware of the Hill’s concern about traffic impacts, and exploring ways to bring people onto the site without moving more cars further up Fore Street. This might include extending Thames Street further to the east, and working with the City and other property owners to extend the street grid below Fore Street. I believe redevelopment here also merits re-examining the accessibility of transit to the site.
Several other issues were raised in our conversation: views, building heights, and mixed income housing, to name a few. As spring sets in, I am sure that Jim will begin to make his rounds in our neighborhoods to share more about Red Group’s plans for the Portland Company. This will be an important opportunity for residents to describe what their hopes and concerns are for the next chapter of this historic property, perched between our hill and the mouth of the Fore River. I believe we should pay special attention to the future use of the Amethyst lot, between the Portland Company and Ocean Gateway. Competing demands along the Eastern Waterfront may be at play in deciding a future which may hold more parking behind chainlinked fences…, or greater public access. Things are happening; let’s make the outcome be the best that we can for our city.